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THE  LIBRARIES 


The  Heart  of 
Asburv's  Journal 


EDITED   BY 

EZRA   SQblER  TIPPLE,  D.D. 


jDEING  the  Substance  of 
the  Printed  Journals  of 
the  Reverend  Francis  Asbury, 
Forty-five  Years  an  Itinerant 
Preacher  in  America  and 
Thirty-two  Years  a  General 
Superintendent  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church 


New   York:    EATON    &    MAINS 
Cincinnati:    JENNINGS  &  GRAHAM 


Copyright,   1904,  by 
EATON  &  MAINS. 


jr-fz.'^3-^/ 


i-i  i  1 '%  (0 


I  WILL  SET  DOWN  A  FEW  THINGS  THAT  LIE  ON  MY  MIND.  WHITHER  AM 
I  GOING?  TO  THE  NEW  WORLD.  WHAT  TO  DO?  TO  GAIN  HONOR?  NO,  IF 
I  KNOW  MY  OWN  HEART.  TO  GET  MONEY?  NO  ;  I  AM  GOING  TO  LIVE  TO 
GOD,  AND  TO  BRING  OTHERS  SO  TO  DO." 

FRANCIS  ASBURY,   ON  THE  VOYAGE  TO  AMERICA     1771. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

Francis  Asbury  (Photogravure) Frontispiece 

Saint   George's   Methodist   Episcopal   Church,    Phila- 
delphia         6 

Wesley  Chapel,  the  First  "John  Street  Church".  ...      26 

Methodist  Maryland 38 

The  First  Conference  in  America,  1773 51 

Rev.  Thomas  Rankin 67 

The  Dallam    Homestead 81 

Rev.  George  Shadford 90 

The  Village  Street  of  Drumsna,  where  Robert  Straw- 
bridge  WAS  Born 121 

Reputed  Birthplace  of  Robert  Strawbridge,  Drumsna   126 

Rev.  Freeborn  Garrettson 131 

The  Saddlebags  of  the  Rev.  Freeborn  Garrettson.  .  .    149 

Dorchester  County  Jail,  Cambridge,  Maryland 158 

Facsimile  of  the  Printed  Minutes,  1773  (a) 160 

Facsimile  of  the  Printed  Minutes,  1773  (b) 161 

Asbury's  Southern  Circuit,  April-November,  1780....    171 

BarS'att's  Chapel 189 

The  House  in  Petersburg  in  which  Asbury  held  his 

First  Conference  in  Virginia 203 

The  Earliest  of  American  Quarterly  Tickets 208 

Early  Quarterly  Tickets 209 

Rev.  Thomas  Vasey 221 

Barratt's  Chapel  (Interior) 226 

Rev.    Thomas    Coke,    D.C.L.    (Oxon.),    Bishop    of    the 
Methodist    Episcopal    Church    and    Founder    op 

Wesleyan  Missions 228 

The  Consecration  of  Francis  Asbury  as  a  Bishop  of 

the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 232 

The  House  of  Rev.  Green  Hill 236 

Bishop  Asbury's  First  Episcopal  Tour,  1785 243 


vi  ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Title-page  of  the  First  Edition  of  the  Discipline.  .  .    251 

Rev.  Ezekiel  Cooper 257 

CoKESBURY    Chapel   and   Site   of   Cokesbury   College, 

Abingdon,  Maryland,   1900 262 

Home   of  General  William   Russell,   Saltville,   Vir- 
ginia     268 

Bishop  Asbury's  Episcopal  Round,  1788 274 

George  Washington. 279 

Asbury's  Consecration  as  Bishop 294 

John  Wesley 314 

Holden's  Meetinghouse,  Queen  Anne  County,  Mary- 
land  ' 302 

Dr.  Coke's  First  Plan  of  Missions,  1784  (a) 322 

Dr.  Coke's  First  Plan  of  Missions,  1784  (b) 323 

The  Reputed  Birthplace  of  Francis  Asbury 338 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Asbury 340 

Manwood  Cottage,  Handsworth 343 

The    Seat    of    the    Early    General    Conferences    in 

Baltimore 351 

In  the  "Land  of  the  Sky " 359 

Old  Rehoboth  Church,  near  Union,  Monroe  County, 

Virginia,  Built   1786 364 

Old  Ebenezer  Church,  Southwalk,  Philadelphia 369 

Francis  Asbury  in  his  Forty-ninth  Year 381 

Ebenezer  Academy,  Brunswick  County,  Virginia 390 

Methodist    Landmarks    in    Westchester    County,    New 

York 401 

"The  Itinerant" 410 

The  Six  Original  Annual  Conferences 418 

Perry  Hall  in   1900 429 

An  Early  Conference  in  Baltimore 444 

The  Old  Boehm  Chapel,  Lancaster  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania     459 

Richard  Whatcoat 471 

Green  Hill's  House  in  Kentucky 480 

Killian's    House,    Beaver    Dam    Valley,    near    Ashe- 

ville.   North  Carolina 488 

The   German   Church,   Rev.    Philip  Otterbein,    Balti- 
more     506 

Duane    Street    Church    and    Parsonage,    New    York, 

1797 510 


ILLUSTRATIONS  vii 

PAGE 

The  Slave  Jail,  Perry  Hall 526 

Residence  of  Rev.  George  Pickering,  Waltiiam,  Mass- 
achusetts   529 

Governor  Edward  P.  Tiffin,  Ohio 535 

Old  Saint  David's  Episcopal  Church,  Cheraw,  South 

Carolina 548 

Old  Light  Street  Church,   Baltimore 551 

Lovely  Lane  Preaching  House,   Baltimore 560 

Memorial  Tablet  in  Wall  of  Engineering  Building, 

Vanderbilt  University 579 

Rev.  Joseph  Pilmoor 585 

First  Methodist  Church,  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  1807 592 

William  McKendree 599 

Jesse    Lee's    First    Preaching    Place,    Norwalk,    Con- 
necticut   611 

Rev.   William  Burke 618 

Robert  Richford  Roberts 631 

Bush  Forest  Chapel,  Maryland 635 

Barratt's  Chapel,  Side  View 656 

The  Will  of  Francis  Asbury,  No.    i 662 

The  Will  of  Francis  Asbury,  No.   2 663 

The  Old  Wesley  Chapel,  Savannah,  Georgia 669 

Rev.  Philip  Otterbein 672 

Francis  Asbury,  from  The  Methodist  Magazine 690 

EuTAW  Street  Methodist  Church,  Baltimore 704 

Grave  of  Asbury,  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  Baltimore  710 


INTRODUCTION 


The  career  of  Francis  Asbury  is  without  a  parallel  in 
American  ecclesiastical  annals.  Coming  to  America  in 
1 77 1,  for  forty-five  years  he  wielded  an  influence  second 
to  none  in  the  establishment  and  development  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  What  John  Wesley  was 
to  Great  Britain  Francis  Asbury  was  to  America. 
Elected  a  general  superintendent  at  the  Christmas  Con- 
ference in  1784,  for  thirty  years  and  more  he  traveled 
annually  the  largest  episcopal  see  any  bishop  of  any 
church  in  America  ever  had  under  his  continuous  and, 
for  most  of  the  time,  sole  jurisdiction. 

Asbury  was  primarily  a  preacher;  this  was  the  glory 
of  his  distinguished  career.  Preaching  was  his  master 
passion.  He  left  his  native  land,  h^  denied  himself  the 
joys  of  home  life,  never  marrying,  that  he  might  preach 
the  gospel  after  the  manner,  and  in  accord  with  the 
teachings,  of  the  Methodists. 

He  was  the  great  itinerant  of  early  Methodism.  No 
other  man  was  so  constantly  in  the  saddle.  From  Maine 
to  Georgia,  to  Kentucky  and  Ohio,  and  back  to  New 
York  again,  year  after  year  he  swung  around  his  im- 
mense circuit,  a  man  without  a  home.  Once  when  enter- 
ing the  prairies  of  Ohio  a  stranger  met  him  and  abruptly 
inquired,  "Where  are  you  from?"  Asbury  replied, 
"From  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  or 
almost  any  place  you  please."  This  was  literally  true ; 
he  hailed  from  everywhere,  and  was  at  home  anywhere. 

He  was  a  wise  administrator ;  he  had  a  genius  for 
government  almost  as  marked  as  Wesley's.     He  was  a 


X  INTRODUCTION 

man  of  remarkable  piety  and  devotion,  and  equally  re- 
markable in  his  labors.  Freeborn  Garrettson  said  he 
prayed  the  best  and  prayed  the  most  of  all  the  men  he 
knew.  No  man  of  his  generation,  or  since,  was  more 
abundant  in  labors.  He  attended  and  presided  at  almost 
every  Annual  Conference  during  his  long  and  illustrious 
superintendency,  stationed  all  the  preachers,  everywhere 
made  careful  inquiries  into  the  state  of  the  work,  and 
had  a  wider  and  more  accurate  knowledge  of  the  field 
and  the  workers  than  any  man  of  his  day.  In  the 
Preface  to  the  first  number  of  the  second  volume  of 
his  Journal,  which  appeared  during  his  lifetime,  As- 
bury  wrote,  "As  I  have  been,  under  God  and  my  breth- 
ren, the  principal  overseer  of  the  work  in  America,  and 
have  constantly  traveled  from  the  center  to  the  circum- 
ference of  the  connection,  I  flatter  myself  that  reason- 
able men  will  acknowledge  that  I  have  always  had  an 
opportunity  of  obtaining  better  information  relative  to 
the  true  state  of  the  whole  work  than  any  other  man 
could  possibly  have." 

In  view  of  all  this,  the  Journal  which  Asbury  kept 
during  his  many  years  of  ceaseless  travels  and  constant 
opportunities  for  observation  has  a  peculiar  value.  It  is 
the  best  and  practically  the  only  record  of  the  early 
days  of  Methodism.  It  is  concededly  imperfect.  It 
could  not  well  have  been  otherwise.  Asbury  himself 
felt  the  limitations  which  were  upon  him.  Under  date 
of  July  24,  1774,  he  gives  an  account  of  his  conversion, 
his  work  in  England,  and  concludes  with  the  statement, 
"September  3,  1771,  I  embarked  for  America,  and  for 
my  own  private  satisfaction  began  to  keep  an  imperfect 
Journal."  It  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  he  kept  any 
Journal  at  all.  The  difficulties  were  many  and  great. 
Asbury  frequently  refers  to  them,  and  laments  that  he 
cannot  furnish  a  more  satisfactory  account  of  his  daily 
life.     "In   keeping  a  Journal  of  my  life,"   he  says,   "I 


INTRODUCTION  xi 

have  unavoidably  labored  under  many  embarrassments 
and  inconveniences ;  my  constant  traveling,  the  want  of 
places  of  retirement  and  conveniences  to  write,  my  fre- 
quent calls  to  the  pulpit,  my  extensive  epistolary  corre- 
spondence, and  my  debility,  and  sometimes  inability  of 
body,  have  all  been  inseparable  from  my  station  in  the 
church,  and  so  many  impediments  to  the  perfection  of 
the  account  of  my  labors  and  sufferings  in  this  country." 
There  are  inaccuracies  as  to  dates,  names  of  places  and 
individuals,  and  in  other  matters.  But  these  are  insig- 
nificant, and  in  no  wise  impair  the  essential  facts.  The 
intense  ardor,  the  resistless  earnestness,  the  incredible 
hardships,  and  the  fervent  evangelism  of  Asbury  and 
the  pioneer  preachers  of  early  Methodism  are  all  here. 
They  tell  their  own  story,  and  announce  a  distinctive 
message. 

Parts  of  the  Journal  were  printed  during  Asbury's 
lifetime  and  were  corrected  by  him,  and  the  manuscript 
of  the  remainder  revised  under  his  direction  and  ap- 
proved up  to  the  year  1807.  For  more  than  seventy 
years  the  Journal  has  been  published  as  it  originally 
appeared.  There  have  been  no  attempts  to  revise, 
amend,  or  correct  the  text,  until  this  one.  It  was  the 
judgment  of  many  that  the  important  records  of  the 
life  of  this  remarkable  man,  and  of  those  equally  impor- 
tant years  which  his  life  spanned,  should  be  put  in  a 
more  accurate  and  readable  form,  and  this  I  have  en- 
deavored to  do.  I  have  not  been  able  to  compare  the 
printed  Journal  with  the  original  manuscripts,  these  un- 
fortunately having  been  burned  in  the  fire  in  Mulberry 
Street,  New  York,  which  totally  destroyed  the  Book 
Concern  in  1836.  I  have,  however,  sought  to  verify 
whatever  could  be  verified,  to  correct  palpable  errors, 
to  omit  unimportant  entries,  to  throw  light  on  many 
others  by  explanatory  notes,  and  finally  to  add  to  the 
interest  of  the  Journal  by  the  insertion  of  numerous  illus- 


xii  INTRODUCTION 

trations  of  individuals  and  places  mentioned  in  the  Jour- 
nal. This  last  I  have  been  enabled  to  do  through  the 
courtesy  of  the  publishers,  who  also  publish  Hurst's 
History  of  Methodism,  from  which  the  illustrations  are 
taken. 

If  in  this  way  I  shall  have  awakened  a  new  interest 
in  the  pioneer  preacher  and  bishop,  who  for  half  a  cen- 
tury, like  a  spiritual  Atlas,  bore  the  American  continent 
on  his  shoulders ;  who  in  his  day  builded  altars  in  almost 
every  city  and  town  in  the  United  States  and  kindled 
thereon  fires  which  have  not  yet  gone  out;  who  heralded 
the  doctrine  of  human  democracy  when  the  nation  was 
in  the  throes  of  a  gigantic  conflict  with  Paternalism  and 
Aristocracy ;  who  inculcated  respect  for  law  and  created 
ideals  of  righteousness  and  citizenship  along  the  moun- 
tain roads,  and  through  the  trackless  forests,  where 
Civilization  walked  with  slow  yet  conquering  step ;  who 
kept  Hope  alive  in  thousands  of  hearts  where  Despair 
ever  stood  at  the  door  with  a  coffin ;  who  startled  the 
impenitent  to  action,  halted  the  reckless  in  their  mad 
pursuit  after  forbidden  pleasures,  comforted  myriads  in 
their  sorrows  and  agonies,  and  like  a  tender  mother 
cherished  multitudes  from  New  Hampshire  to  the  South- 
ern sea  who  had  received  the  remission  of  their  sins ; 
and  who  sowed  the  seeds  which  growing  up  have  made 
Methodism  in  its  history,  its  spirit,  and  its  purpose 
an  American  church,  my  purpose  will  have  been 
accomplished. 

Ezra  Squier  Tipple. 
New  York,  December,  1904. 


THE   HEART   OF 
ASBURY'S    JOURNAL 


On  the  7th  of  August,  1771,  the  Conference  began  at 
Bristol,  in  England.  Before  this  I  had  felt  for  half  a 
year  strong  intimations  in  my  mind  that  I  should  visit 
America ;  which  I  laid  before  the  Lord,  being  unwilling 
to  do  my  own  will,  or  to  run  before  I  was  sent.  During 
this  time  my  trials  were  very  great,  which  the  Lord,  I 
believe,  permitted  to  prove  and  try  me,  in  order  to  prepare 
me  for  future  usefulness.  At  the  Conference  it  was  pro- 
posed that  some  preachers  should  go  over  to  the  American 
continent.  I  spoke  my  mind,  and  made  an  offer  of  myself. 
It  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Wesley  and  others,  who  judged  I 
had  a  call.  From  Bristol  I  went  home  to  acquaint  my 
parents  with  my  great  undertaking,  which  I  opened  in  as 
gentle  a  manner  as  possible.  Though  it  was  grievous  to 
flesh  and  blood,  they  consented  to  let  me  go.  My  mother 
is  one  of  the  tenderest  parents  in  the  world  ;  but,  I  believe, 
she  was  blessed  in  the  present  instance  with  divine  as- 
sistance to  part  with  me.  I  visited  most  of  my  friends  in 
Staffordshire,  Warwickshire,  and  Gloucestershire,  and 
felt  much  life  and  power  among  them.  Several  of  our 
meetings  were  indeed  held  in  the  spirit  and  life  of  God. 
Many  of  my  friends  were  struck  with  wonder,  when  they 
heard  of  my  going ;  but  none  opened  their  mouths  against 
it,  hoping  it  was  of  God.  Some  wished  that  their  situa- 
tion would  allow  them  to  go  with  me. 

I  returned  to  Bristol  in  the  latter  end  of  August,  where 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1771 


Richard  Wright  was  waiting  for  me,  to  sail  in  a  few  days 
for  Philadelphia.  When  I  came  to  Bristol  I  had  not  one 
penny  of  money ;  but  the  Lord  soon  opened  the  hearts  of 
friends,  who  supplied  me  with  clothes,  and  ten  pounds ; 
thus  I  found,  by  experience,  that  the  Lord  will  provide 
for  those  who  trust  in  him. 

Sets  Sail  for  America 

Sept.  4.  We  set  sail  from  a  port  near  Bristol,  and, 
having  a  good  breeze,  soon  passed  the  channel.  For 
three  days  I  was  very  ill  with  the  seasickness ;  and  no 
sickness  I  ever  knew  was  equal  to  it.  The  captain  be- 
haved well  to  us. 


THE    PORT   OF    PILL,    NEAR   BRISTOL, 
Where  Asbury  took  ship. 

Sept.  12.  I  will  set  down  a  few  things  that  lie  on  my 
mind.  Whither  am  I  going?  To  the  New  World.  What 
to  do?  To  gain  honor?  No,  if  I  know  my  own  heart. 
To  get  money  ?  No ;  I  am  going  to  live  to  God,  and  to 
bring  others  so  to  do.  In  America  there  has  been  a  work 
of  God:  some  moving  first  among  the  Friends,  but  in 


i77i]  VOYAGE  TO  AMERICA  3 

time  it  declined ;  likewise  by  the  Presbyterians,  but  among 
them  also  it  declined.  The  people  God  owns  in  England 
are  the  Methodists.  The  doctrines  they  preach,  and  the 
discipline  they  enforce,  are,  I  believe,  the  purest  of  any 
people  now  in  the  world.  The  Lord  has  greatly  blessed 
these  doctrines  and  this  discipline  in  the  three  kingdoms ; 
they  must  therefore  be  pleasing  to  him.  If  God  does  not 
acknowledge  me  in  America  I  will  soon  return  to  Eng- 
land. I  know  my  views  are  upright  now ;  may  they  never 
be  otherwise ! 

Sept.  15.  I  preached  on  Acts  17.  30:  "But  God  now 
commandeth  all  men  everywdiere  to  repent."  The  sailors 
behaved  with  decency.  My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  for 
them  was,  and  is,  that  they  may  be  saved ;  but  O,  the  deep 
ignorance  and  insensibility  of  the  human  heart ! 

A  Storm  at  Sea 

The  wind  blowing  a  gale,  the  ship  turned  up  and  down, 
and  from  side  to  side,  in  a  manner  very  painful  to  one 
that  was  not  accustomed  to  sailing;  but  when  Jesus  is  in 
the  ship  all  is  well.  O,  what  would  not  one  do,  what 
would  he  not  suffer,  to  be  useful  to  souls,  and  to  the  will 
of  his  great  Master !  Lord,  help  me  to  give  thee  my 
heart  now  and  forever. 

Our  friends  had  forgotten  our  beds,  or  else  did  not 
know  we  should  want  such  things ;  so  I  had  two  blankets 
for  mine.  I  found  it  hard  to  lodge  on  little  more  than 
boards.  I  want  faith,  courage,  patience,  meekness,  love. 
When  others  suffer  so  much  for  their  temporal  interests, 
surely  I  may  suffer  a  little  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
good  of  souls.  May  my  Lord  preserve  me  in  an  upright 
intention !  I  find  I  talk  more  than  is  profitable.  Surely 
my  soul  is  among  lions.  T  feel  my  spirit  bound  to  the 
New  World,  and  my  heart  united  to  the  people,  though 
unknown ;  and  have  great  cause  to  believe  that  I  am  not 
running  before  I  am  sent.     The  more  troubles  I  meet 


4  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1771 

with,  the  more  convinced  I  am  that  I  am  doing  the  will 
of  God. 

In  the  course  of  my  passage  I  read  Sellon's  Answer  to 
Elisha  Cole,  on  the  Sovereignty  of  God;  and  I  think,  no 
one  that  reads  it  deliberately  can  afterward  be  a  Calvinist. 

How  the  Time  Was  Occupied 

Sept.  22.  I  preached  to  the  ship's  company  on  John 
3.  2;^ ;  but,  alas !  they  were  insensible  creatures.  My  heart 
has  been  much  pained  on  their  account.  I  spent  my  time . 
chiefly  in  retirement,  in  prayer,  and  in  reading  the  Ap- 
peals, Mr.  De  Renty's  Life,  part  of  Mr.  Norris's  Works, 
Mr.  Edwards  on  the  Work  of  God  in  New  England,  the 
Pilgrim's  Progress,  the  Bible,  and  Mr.  Wesley's  Sermons. 
I  feel  a  strong  desire  to  be  given  up  to  God,  body,  soul, 
time,  and  talents,  far  more  than  heretofore. 

Sept.  29.  I  preached  to  the  ship's  company  again,  on 
these  words :  "To  you  is  the  word  of  this  salvation  sent." 
I  felt  some  drawings  of  soul  toward  them,  but  saw  no 
fruit.  Yet  still  I  must  go  on.  While  they  will  hear,  I 
will  preach,  as  I  have  opportunity.  My  judgment  is  with 
the  Lord.    I  must  keep  in  the  path  of  duty. 

Oct.  6.  Though  it  was  very  rough,  I  preached  on 
deck  to  all  our  ship's  company,  from  Heb.  2.  3:  "How 
shall  we  escape,  if  we  neglect  so  great  salvation?"  The 
Lord  enabled  me  to  speak  plainly,  and  I  had  some  hopes 
that  the  interesting  truths  of  the  gospel  did  enter  into 
their  minds.  I  remember  the  words  of  the  wise  man,  "In 
the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withhold 
not  thine  hand."  As  to  my  own  mind,  I  long  and  pray 
that  I  may  be  more  spiritual.  But  in  this  I  comfort  myself 
that  my  intention  is  upright,  and  that  I  have  the  cause  of 
God  at  heart.  But  I  want  to  stand  complete  in  all  the 
will  of  God,  "holy  as  he  that  hath  called  me  is  holy,  in  all 
manner  of  conversation."  At  times  I  can  retire  and  pour 
out  my  soul  to  God,  and  feel  some  meltings  of  heart.    My 


177 1]  AMBASSADORS  FOR  CHRIST  5 

spirit    mourns    and    hungers    and    thirsts    after    entire 
devotion. 

Preaching  under  Difficwlty 

Oct.  13.  Though  it  was  very  windy,  I  fixed  my  hack 
against  the  mizzenmast,  and  preached  freely  on  those 
well-known  words,  2  Cor.  5.  20:  "Now  then  we  are  am- 
bassadors for  Christ,  as  though  God  did  beseech  you  by 
us :  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to 
God."  I  felt  the  power  of  truth  on  my  own  soul,  but  still, 
alas !  saw  no  visible  fruit :  but  my  witness  is  in  heaven, 
that  I  have  not  shunned  to  declare  to  them  all  the  counsel 
of  God.  Many  have  been  my  trials  in  the  course  of  this 
voyage ;  from  the  want  of  a  proper  bed,  and  proper  pro- 
visions, from  sickness,  and  from  being  surrounded  with 
men  and  women  ignorant  of  God,  and  very  wicked.  But 
all  this  is  nothing.  If  I  cannot  bear  this,  what  have  I 
learned  ?  O,  I  have  reason  to  be  much  ashamed  of  many 
things,  which  T  speak  and  do  before  God  and  man.  Lord, 
pardon  my  manifold  defects  and  failures  in  duty. 

Arrival  in  Philadelphia 

Oct.  27.  This  day  we  landed  in  Philadelphia,  where 
we  were  directed  to  the  house  of  one  Mr.  Francis  Harris, 
who  kindly  entertained  us  in  the  evening,  and  brought  us 
to  a  large  church,  where  we  met  with  a  considerable  con- 
gregation. 

Afterward  known  as  St.  George's  Church.  It  was  built  by 
a  small  section  of  Dutch  Reformers  who  were  unable  to  com- 
plete it  for  want  of  funds,  and  had  been  used  by  the  cavalry  as 
a  riding  school.  Pilmoor  gives  a  curious  account  of  its  his- 
tory. He  says  it  was  built  to  support  a  party;  that  the  poor 
people  who  built  it  ruined  themselves  by  the  effort,  and  some 
of  them  incurred  debts  for  which  they  were  imprisoned;  that 
it  was  sold  by  an  order  of  the  Presbyterian  Assembly;  that  a 
gentleman's  son  who  was  non  compos  mentis,  happening  to 
step  into  the  auction  room,  bought  it  for  j^yoo;  that  "his 
father  wanted  to  be  off  the  bargain,  but  could  not  without 
proving  the  insanity  of  his   son";  and  that,    "rather  than 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1771 


attempt  this  he  "was  willing  to  lose  £$0  by  the  job."  "So," 
adds  the  good  Missionary,  with  a  grateful  recognition  of  the 
wonderful  forking  of  Divine  Providence,  "the  place  which  cost 
the  Dutch  Presbyterians  £2000  was  purchased  by  the  Meth- 
odists for  £650."  This  church  has  the  distinction  of  being  the 
oldest  church  building  occupied  by  Methodists  in  the  United 
States. 


ST.    GEORGE  S    METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH, 
PPIILADELPHIA. 

Brother  Pilmoor  preached  acceptably.  The  people 
looked  on  us  with  pleasure,  hardly  knowing  how  to  show 
their  love  sufficiently,  bidding  us  welcome  with  fervent 
affection,  and  receiving  us  as  angels  of  God.  O  that  we 
may  always  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  where^vith  we 
are  called !  When  I  came  near  the  American  shore  my 
very  heart  melted  within  me,  to  think  from  whence  I 
came,  where  I  was  going,  and  what  I  was  going  about. 
But  I  felt  my  mind  open  to  the  people,  and  my  tongue 
loosed  to  speak.  I  feel  that  God  is  here,  and  find  plenty 
of  all  we  need. 

Nov.  3.  I  find  my  mind  drawn  heavenward.  The  Lord 
hath  helped  me  by  his  power,  and  my  soul  is  in  a  paradise. 
May  God  Almighty  keep  me  as  the  apple  of  his  eye,  till 


lyyi]  STARTS  FOR  NEW  YORK  7 

all  the  storms  of  life  are  past !  Whatever  I  do,  wherever 
I  go,  may  I  never  sin  against  God,  but  always  do  those 
things  that  please  him  ! 

Holds  a  Watch-night  Meeting 

Nov.  4  (Philadelphia).  We  held  a  watch-night.  It  be- 
gan at  eight  o'clock.  Brother  Pilmoor  preached,  and  the 
people  attended  with  great  seriousness.  Very  few  left 
the  solemn  place  till  the  conclusion.  Toward  the  end  a 
plain  man  spoke,  who  came  out  of  the  country,  and  his 
words  went  with  great  power  to  the  souls  of  the  people ; 
so  that  we  may  say,  ''Who  hath  despised  the  day  of  small 
things  ?"  Not  the  Lord  our  God :  then  why  should  self- 
important  man? 

Nov.  5.  I  was  sent  for  to  visit  two  persons  who  were 
under  conviction  for  sin,  I  spoke  a  word  of  consolation 
to  them,  and  have  hope  that  God  will  set  their  souls  at 
liberty.  My  own  mind  is  fixed  on  God ;  he  hath  helped 
me.    Glory  be  to  him  that  liveth  and  abideth  forever ! 

Nov.  6.  I  preached  at  Philadelphia  my  last  sermon 
before  I  set  out  for  New  York,  on  Rom.  8.  32:  "He  that 
spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all, 
how  shall  he  not  with  him  also  freely  give  us  all  things  ?" 
This  also  was  a  night  of  power  to  my  own  and  many  other 
souls. 

Nov.  7.  I  went  to  Burlington  on  my  way  to  New  York, 
and  preached  in  the  courthouse  to  a  large,  serious  con- 
gregation. Here  also  I  felt  my  heart  much  opened.  In 
the  way  from,  thence  to  New  York  I  met  with  one  P.  Van 
Pelt,  who  had  heard  me  preach  at  Philadelphia.  After 
some  conversation  he  invited  me  to  his  house  on  Staten 
Island ;  and  as  I  was  not  engaged  to  be  at  New  York  on 
any  particular  day  I  went  with  him  and  preached  in  his 
house.  Still  I  believe  God  hath  sent  me  to  this  country. 
All  I  seek  is  to  be  more  spiritual,  and  given  up  entirely  to 
God,  to  be  all  devoted  to  him  whom  I  love. 


8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1771 

Nov.  II.  In  the  morning  I  preached  again  to  a  large 
company  of  people,  with  some  enlargement  of  mind,  at 
the  house  of  my  worthy  friend,  Mr.  Van  Pelt ;  in  the 
afternoon  preached  to  a  still  larger  congregation ;  and 
was  invited  to  preach  in  the  evening  at  the  house  of 
Justice  Wright,  where  I  had  a  large  company  to  hear  me. 
Still,  evidence  grows  upon  me,  and  I  trust  I  am  in  the 
order  of  God,  and  that  there  will  be  a  willing  people  here. 
My  soul  has  been  much  affected  with  them.  My  heart 
and  mouth  are  open ;  only  I  am  still  sensible  of  my  deep 
insufficiency,  and  that  mostly  with  regard  to  holiness.  It 
is  true,  God  has  given  me  some  gifts ;  but  what  are  they 
to  holiness  ?  It  is  for  holiness  my  spirit  mourns.  I  want 
to  walk  constantly  before  God  without  reproof. 

Nov.  12.  I  set  out  for  New  York,  and  found  Richard 
Boardman  there  in  peace,  but  weak  in  body.  Now  I 
must  apply  myself  to  my  old  work — to  watch,  and  fight, 
and  pray.     Lord,  help ! 

First  Sermon  in  New  York 

Nov.  13.  I  preached  at  New  York  to  a  large  congre- 
gation on  I  Cor.  2.  2 :  "I  determined  not  to  know  anything 
among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified,"  with 
some  degree  of  freedom  in  my  own  mind.  I  approved 
much  of  the  spirit  of  the  people :  they  were  loving  and 
serious ;  there  appeared  also,  in  some,  a  love  of  discipline. 
Though  I  was  unwilling  to  go  to  New  York  so  soon,  I 
believe  it  is  all  well,  and  I  still  hope  I  am  in  the  order  of 
God.  My  friend  Boardman  is  a  kind,  loving,  worthy 
man,  truly  amiable  and  entertaining,  and  of  a  childlike 
temper. 

Nov.  14.  I  preached  again  at  New  York.  My  heart  is 
truly  enlarged,  and  I  know  the  life  and  power  of  religion 
is  here.  O  how  I  wish  to  spend  all  my  time  and  talents 
for  Him  who  spilt  his  blood  for  me ! 

Nov.  18.    I  found  this  Lord's  Day  a  day  of  rest  to  my 


177']         PREACHERS  AND  THE   CITIES  9 

soul.  In  the  morning  I  was  much  led  out  with  a  sacred 
desire.  Lord,  help  me  against  the  mighty !  I  feel  a  re- 
gard for  the  people,  and  I  think  the  Americans  are  more 
ready  to  receive  the  word  than  the  English ;  and  to  see 
the  poor  negroes  so  affected  is  pleasing ;  to  see  their  sable 
countenances  in  our  solemn  assemblies,  and  to  hear  them 
sing  with  cheerful  melody  their  dear  Redeemer's  praise, 
affected  me  much,  and  made  me  ready  to  say,  "Of  a  truth 
I  perceive  that  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons." 

Committed  to  the  "Methodist  Plan" 

Nov.  20.  I  remain  in  New  York,  though  unsatisfied 
with  our  being  both  in  town  together.  I  have  not  yet  the 
thing  which  I  seek — a  circulation  of  preachers,  to  avoid 
partiality  and  popularity.  However,  I  am  fixed  to  the 
Methodist  plan,  and  do  what  I  do  faithfully  as  to  God.  I 
expect  trouble  is  at  hand.  This  I  expected  when  I  left 
England,  and  I  am  willing  to  suffer,  yea,  to  die,  sooner 
than  betray  so  good  a  cause  by  any  means.  It  will  be  a 
hard  matter  to  stand  against  all  opposition,  as  an  iron 
pillar  strong,  and  steadfast  as  a  wall  of  brass  ;  but  through 
Christ  strengthening  me  I  can  do  all  things. 

Preachers  Cling  to  the  Cities 

Nov.  22.  At  present  I  am  dissatisfied.  I  judge  we  are 
to  be  shut  up  in  the  cities  this  winter.  My  brethren  seem 
unwilling  to  leave  the  cities,  but  I  think  I  shall  show  them 
the  way.  I  am  in  trouble,  and  more  trouble  is  at  hand, 
for  I  am  determined  to  make  a  stand  against  all  partiality. 
I  have  nothing  to  seek  but  the  glory  of  God ;  nothing  to 
fear  but  his  displeasure.  I  am  come  over  with  an  upright 
intention,  and  through  the  grace  of  God  Iwill  make  it 
appear ;  and  I  am  determined  that  no  man  shall  bias  me 
with  soft  words  and  fair  speeches;  nor  will  I  ever  fear, 
the  Lord  helping  me,  the  face  of  man,  or  know  any  man 
after  the  flesh,  if  I  beg  my  bread  from  door  to  door ;  but 


lo  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1771 

whomsoever  I  please  or  displease,  I  will  be  faithful  to 
God,  to  the  people,  and  to  my  own  soul. 

Nov.  24.  I  went  with  Brother  Sause  and  Brother 
White  to  Westchester,  which  is  about  twenty  miles  from 
New  York.  My  friends  waited  on  the  mayor  for  the  use 
of  the  courthouse,  which  was  readily  granted.  On  the 
Lord's  Day  morning,  a  considerable  company  being  gath- 
ered together,  I  stood  up  in  the  Lord's  power ;  yea,  I  felt 
the  Holy  One  was  nigh.  I  judged  that  my  audience 
needed  to  be  taught  the  first  principles  of  religion ;  so  I 
spoke  from  those  words,  "Now  he  commandeth  all  men 
everywhere  to  repent"  (Acts  17.  30).  Seriousness  sat 
on  the  faces  of  my  hearers,  and  the  power  of  God  came 
both  on  me  and  them,  while  I  labored  to  show  them  the 
nature  and  necessity  of  repentance,  and  the  proper  sub- 
jects and  time  for  it.  In  the  afternoon  the  congregation 
was  increased,  both  in  number  and  seriousness ;  some  of 
the  chief  men  of  the  town,  the  mayor  and  others,  were 
present.  I  delivered  my  thoughts  on  those  words,  "This 
is  his  commandment,  That  we  should  believe  on  the  name 
of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  love  one  another"  (i  John 
3.  2^).  I  felt  warmth  in  my  soul  while  I  set  forth  the 
nature  and  necessity  of  faith,  and  much  enlargement 
toward  my  hearers.  In  the  evening  I  preached  at  a  place 
called  West  Farms,  to  many  persons,  on  the  love  of  God. 
The  next  day  I  preached  at  Westchester  again  to  a  large 
company,  and  felt  a  sense  of  God  resting  on  my  heart, 
and  much  love  to  the  people.  Being  detained  another 
day  by  the  roughness  of  the  weather,  I  preached  another 
sermon  on  this  text,  "Knowing  therefore  the  terror  of 
the  Lord,  we  persuade  men."  In  the  evening  we  went  to 
the  mayor's,  where  we  lodged  that  night;  and  the  next 
day  at  noon  set  out  for  New  York. 

Dec.  2.  I  found  a  day  of  rest  to  my  soul,  and  much 
liberty,  both  in  the  morning  and  evening,  among  the  peo- 
ple.    O  that  I  may  live  to  God  and  not  to  myself,  and 


i77i]  PREACHES  AT  COURTHOUSE  ii 

keep  myself  free  from  all  worldly  entanglements !     I  am 
determined  to  serve  God  alone. 

Visits  Westchester 

Dec.  8.  As  Brother  Boardman  was  still  at  New  York, 
I  thought  it  best  to  make  another  visit  to  Westchester. 
I  spent  the  evening  and  lodged  at  the  house  of  one  Dr. 
White,  who  appears  to  be  an  understanding  man  in  the 
things  of  God.  His  wife  is  also  of  an  amiable  disposition, 
and  is  touched  with  a  sense  of  her  own  state,  and  that  of 
her  neighbors.  I  spoke  to  her  freely  of  the  willingness  of 
Christ  to  save  now,  but  unbelief  still  prevailed.  The  next 
morning  I  went  to  the  courthouse  to  preach,  but  the 
noise  of  the  children,  and  the  ill  behavior  of  the  unhappy 
drunken  keeper,  caused  much  confusion. 

Preaches  in  a  Tavern 

In  the  afternoon  I  was  informed  that  the  door  of  the 
courthouse  was  shut  against  me.  I  felt  myself  at  first  a 
little  troubled,  but  soon  after  a  tavern  keeper  gave  me  the 
offer  of  an  upper  room  in  his  house,  where  I  spoke  on 
those  words,  "If  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and 
just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  un- 
righteousness." The  power  of  God  was  with  us,  and 
many  of  the  vilest  of  those  present  will,  I  trust,  remember 
it  as  long  as  they  live.  In  the  evening  I  made  another 
visit  to  West  Farms,  and  preached  there ;  and  my  heart 
was  there  also  touched  with  the  power  of  God.  After 
supper  I  asked  the  family  if  they  would  go  to  prayer. 
They  looked  at  one  another  and  said  there  was  need 
enough.  The  next  morning,  wdien  I  asked  a  blessing  be- 
fore breakfast,  they  seemed  amazed.  I  told  them  they 
wanted  nothing  but  religion.  The  old  father  said  it  was 
not  well  to  be  too  religious.  The  son  said  he  thought  we 
could  not  be  too  good.  I  soon  afterward  took  my  leave 
of.  them,  and  preached  in  the  evening  at  Eastchester  to  a 


12  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1771 

few  who  seemed  willing  to  hear,  on  those  words,  "As  for 
me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord."  I  found  my- 
self straitened  and  shut  up,  but  the  Lord  knoweth  what 
he  hath  to  do  with  me. 

Labors  at  New  Rochelle 

Dec.  10.  I  rode  to  New  Rochelle,  and  was  received 
with  great  kindness  by  Mr.  De  Veau  and  his  family,  and 
preached  there  to  a  few.  The  next  day  also  I  preached 
to  a  large  company,  and  found  liberty,  and  believe  the 
power  of  God  was  among  us.  From  thence  I  rode  to 
Rye,  where  a  few  people  were  collected  together  to  hear 
the  word,  and  the  next  day  preached  to  them  again.  On 
Sunday  I  rode  back  to  Eastchester,  and  preached  to  a 
large  company,  and  found  some  satisfaction  in  speaking 
on  "The  one  thing  needful."  On  the  Lord's  Day  I 
preached  at  New  Rochelle  in  the  church.  My  text  was, 
"All  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God" 
(Rom.  3.  23).  I  felt  an  opening,  and  was  satisfied.  I 
published  myself  to  preach  again  in  the  afternoon,  and 
those  who  had  most  opposed  me  before  came  to  hear,  and 
behaved  well.  In  the  evening  I  preached  in  the  house  of 
my  friend  De  Veau.  The  next  day  I  preached  again 
there,  and  on  Tuesday  went  to  Rye,  where  I  had  many 
to  hear,  and  felt  some  freedom  of  spirit.  The  next  day  I 
preached  at  Mamaroneck,  to  a  company  of  people  who  at 
first  took  but  little  notice  of  the  worship  of  God;  but  I 
trust  some  of  them  felt  the  power  of  truth  in  their  hearts. 
On  Thursday  I  returned  to  New  York,  and  found  my 
friends  in  peace. 

Dec.  22.  I  preached  to  a  large  company  in  the 
evening,  and  felt  much  power.  I  know  that  God  was 
with  us  indeed,  yea,  was  nigh  to  bless  the  people.  On 
Christmas  Day  we  had  a  very  comfortable  time.  On  Fri- 
day, the  twenty-seventh,  I  set  off  with  two  of  my  friends 
for  Staten  Island.     On  the  twenty-eighth  we  arrived  at 


1772]  ON  STATEN   ISLAND  13 

Justice  Wright's,  where  we  were  entertained  with  the 
best  his  house  afforded.  From  thence  I  went  to  my  old 
friend  Van  Pelt's,  who  received  me  with  his  former  kind- 
ness, and  collected  a  congregation  for  the  evening,  to 
whom  I  preached,  but  had  a  violent  pain  in  my  head. 
After  service  I  went  to  bed,  and  was  very  ill.  However, 
the  next  day,  being  the  Lord's  Day,  I  preached  in  the 
morning  and  also  in  the  afternoon,  with  some  freedom  of 
mind.  In  the  evening  I  returned  and  preached  at  Justice 
Wright's. 

The  Preachers  Anxious  to  Remain  in  the  Cities 

Jan.  I,  1772.  I  find  that  the  preachers  have  their 
friends  in  the  cities,  and  care  not  to  leave  them.  There 
is  a  strange  party  spirit.  For  my  part  I  desire  to  be 
faithful  to  God  and  man.  On  Thursday  evening  I 
preached  my  last  sermon  for  a  time,  on  i  Thess.  5.  6: 
"Let  us  not  sleep,  as  do  others ;  but  let  us  watch  and  be 
sober." 

Jan.  3.  Brother  Sause  and  myself  set  out  for  West 
Farms,  and  I  preached  in  the  evening.  On  the  Lord's 
Day  I  preached  in  Westchester  at  three,  and  at  West 
Farms  at  six  in  the  evening.  A  person  showed  me  much 
kindness  at  West  Farms,  favoring  me  with  a  man  and 
horse  all  the  time  I  was  there,  acknowledging  the  word 
came  home  to  his  heart,  and  that  he  was  wicked.  My 
friend  Hunt,  who  was  a  Quaker,  said  he  never  was  so 
affected.  The  next  day  I  went  to  Westchester,  but  had 
only  a  few  to  hear  me.  Wednesday  I  preached  at  Hunt's. 
Thursday  I  preached  at  De  Veau's,  and  had  an  attentive 
people.  Friday  I  went  to  Mamaroneck,  had  a  large  con- 
gregation, and  felt  the  divine  presence.  Many  of  the 
people  also  felt  the  power  of  truth,  and  sunk  under  the 
word ;  it  was  laid  home  to  the  hearts  of  the  people ;  but 
some  contradicted  and  blasphemed.  Saturday  I  preached 
at  one  friend  Bangs's,  where  many  attended  to  the  truth. 


14  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

and  showed  a  willingness  to  hear.  On  the  Lord's  Day  I 
preached  at  De  Veau's  at  ten  in  the  morning,  at  three  in 
the  afternoon,  and  at  six  in  the  evening.  Many  attended, 
but  I  fear  few  felt  such  deep  concern  as  will  induce  them 
to  leave  their  sins  and  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 

Jan.  14.  Went  to  Rye,  but  the  people  here  are  in- 
sensible. They  cry,  "The  church !  the  church !"  There 
are  a  few  Presbyterians ;  but  they  have  suffered  their 
meetinghouse  to  go  to  ruin,  and  have  lost  the  power  of 
religion,  if  they  ever  had  it.  I  was  not  a  welcome  mes- 
senger to  this  people.  Wednesday,  the  fifteenth,  I 
preached  at  two  in  the  afternoon  at  Mamaroneck  with 
some  power,  and  in  the  evening  returned,  preached  at 
Rye  to  a  large  company,  and  felt  my  Master  near. 
Thursday  I  was  taken  ill  with  a  cold  and  chill.  On  the 
Lord's  Day,  I  preached  three  times,  though  very  ill. 
Monday  I  rode  to  Philipse  Manor,  and  preached  there  at 
noon,  and  at  six  in  the  evening  in  New  Rochelle. 

Jan.  21.  Preached  at  my  friend  De  Veau's  for  the  last 
time,  on  "Those  things,  which  ye  have  both  learned,  and 
received,  and  heard,  and  seen  in  me,  do."  The  people 
seemed  deeply  affected  under  the  word. 

Discovers  a  Strong  Work  Against  Predestination 

Feb.  5.  Still  I  feel  myself  weak.  It  is  near  a  fortnight 
since  I  came  to  my  friend  B.'s.  Dr.  W.  has  attended  me 
in  all  my  illness,  and  did  all  he  could  for  me  gratis.  Yes- 
terday was  the  first  day  of  my  going  out.  I  went  to  West- 
chester to  hear  a  friend  preach.  My  kind  friends  Sause 
and  White  brought  up  a  sleigh  from  New  York  on  Mon- 
day last,  but  my  friends  at  this  place  would  not  sufifer  me 
to  go  with  them.  Li  the  course  of  my  recovery,  I  have 
read  much  in  my  Bible,  and  Hammond's  Notes  on  the 
New  Testament.  I  have  also  met  with  a  spirited  piece 
against  predestination.  I  did  not  expect  to  find  such  an 
advocate  for  general  redemption  in  America. 


1772]        VISITS  CONDEMNED  CRIMINAL  15 

Fi:i'..  7.  Set  out  for  New  ^'ork  in  a  sleigh,  and  my 
friends  seemed  glad  to  see  me.  I  want  to  be  less  con- 
cerned about  anything  except  my  own  work — the  salva- 
tion of  souls.  At  present  I  seem  determined  to  consecrate 
n-,y  all  to  God,  body,  soul,  time,  and  talents.  May  God 
help  me  to  be  faithful ! 

Feb.  9.  Found  myself  weak,  but.  Brother  Pilmoor  be- 
ing ill,  I  preached  in  the  morning,  and  found  life.  Stayed 
at  home  on  Monday,  and  read  in  Mr.  Wesley's  Notes  on 
the  Old  Testament. 

Feb.  10.  Went  to  the  jail,  and  visited  a  condemned 
criminal,  and  preached  to  him  and  others  with  some  ten- 
der feeling  of  mind,  on  those  words,  "Joy  shall  be  in 
heaven  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth." 

Feb.  II.     This  day  I  have  visited  many  of  my  friends     ^ 
from  house  to  house,  and  did  not  find  much  evil  or  much 
good  stirring  among  them.     Now  I  retire  to  hold  com- 
munion with  God,  and  to  feel  his  power.  ^ 

Feb.  27  (New  York).  In  the  evening  I  met  the  society, 
and  felt  myself  assisted  and  enlarged.  At  night  I  slept 
with  holy  thoughts  of  God,  and  awoke  with  the  same ; 
thanks  be  to  God ! 

Feb.  28  (New  Jersey).  I  set  ofif  on  a  rough-gaited 
horse  for  Burlington,  and,  after  being  much  shaken, 
breakfasted  at  Spotswood ;  fed  my  horse  again  at  Cross- 
wicks,  and  then  thought  to  push  on  to  Burlington,  but, 
the  roads  being  bad,  and  myself  and  horse  weary,  I 
lodged  with  a  Quaker,  on  whom  I  called  to  inquire  the 
way.  He  not  only  invited  me  to  tarry  all  night,  but  also 
treated  me  with  great  kindness.  The  next  day  I  rode  to 
town  very  weary,  and  on  the  Lord's  Day  preached  in  the 
courthouse  to  many  hearers. 

Apr.  2.  I  came  to  Philadelphia,  and  finding  Brother 
Boardman  and  Brother  Wright  there  was  much  com- 
forted. Brother  Boardman's  plan  was  that  he  should  go 
to  Boston,  Brother  Pilmoor  to  Virginia,  Brother  Wright 


i6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

to  New  York,  and  that  I  shonkl  stay  three  months  in 
Philadelphia.    With  this  I  was  well  pleased. 

Apr.  8.  In  the  evening  I  preached  to  a  very  large  au- 
dience in  the  church,  after  preaching  in  the  day  to  many 
poor  mortals  in  the  Bettering-house. 

A  Favorite  Inn 

Apr.  9.  Set  out  for  Bohemia  Manor  to  find  Mr. 
Williams  (who  had  been  at  his  own  discretion),  that  he 
might  wait  on  Mr.  Boardman,  in  order  to  go  to  New 
York  for  five  months.  Stopped  at  Mrs.  Withey's  in 
Chester,  to  feed  myself  and  my  horse. 

It  is  said  of  this  woman  that  she  kept  the  best  inn  on  the 
continent,  and  that  the  Methodist  itinerants  were  always 
welcome. 

I  inquired  about  preaching  in  that  town,  and  found 
this  to  be  the  house  where  Mr.  Boardman  and  Mr.  Pil- 
moor  put  up,  and  that  the  people  were  pleased  with 
Methodist  preaching.  After  leaving  word  that  I  would 
call  to  preach  there  on  my  return,  I  set  off  for  Wilming- 
ton, expecting  to  meet  Mr.  Williams  there ;  but  we  acci- 
dentally met  just  as  he  was  turning  ofif  the  road,  about 
four  miles  from  the  town.  He  seemed  glad  to  see  me, 
and  willing  to  be  subject  to  order. 

Pending  the  appointment  of  regular  missionaries  by  the 
Conference  of  1769,  in  fulfillment  of  Wesley's  purpose  as  made 
known  to  the  Conference  of  1768,  the  expectant  society  of  New 
York  accepted  the  provisional  labors  of  Robert  Williams, 
and  took  him  into  a  kind  of  semipastoral  relation  to  it.  Wil- 
liams was  an  enthusiastic  Welshman.  He  was  well  known  to 
Mr.  Wesley,  and  though  recognized  as  a  local  preacher  only, 
had  been  occasionally  associated  with  him  in  his  travels. 
Hearing  of  the  repeated  applications  for  help  from  New  York, 
he  applied  to  Mr.  Wesley  for  authority  to  preach  there;  and 
permission  was  given  him  on  condition  that  he  should  labor 
in  subordination  to  the  missionaries  who  were  about  to  be 
sent  out.  Williams's  impatient  zeal  could  not  wait  for  the 
missionaries;  he  appealed  to  his  friend  Ashton,  who  after- 
ward   became   an   important    member  of   Embury's    society. 


1772]  ROBERT  WILLIAMS  17 

Ashton  was  induced  to  emigrate  by  the  promise  of  Williams  to 
accompany  him.  Williams  was  poor,  but  hearing  that  his 
friend  was  ready  to  embark,  he  hastened  to  the  port,  sold  his 
horse  to  pay  his  debts,  and,  carrying  his  saddlebags  on  his 
arm,  set  off  for  the  ship,  with  a  loaf  of  bread,  a  bottle  of  milk, 
but  no  money  for  his  passage.  Ashton  paid  the  expense  of 
his  voyage,  and  they  landed  in  New  York  before  the  mission- 
aries arrived.  Williams  was  "the  first  Methodist  minister  in 
America  that  published  a  book,  the  first  that  married,  the  first 
that  located,  and  the  first  that  died." 

The  next  morning  Mr.  Williams  went  on  his  way  to 
Philadelphia.  Having  a  desire  to  go,  and  see,  and  hear 
how  things  went,  I  desired  him  to  call  and  preach  at 
Chester,  and  I  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Mr.  S.,  a 
friend  of  the  Methodists,  and  then  rode  on  to  Newcastle. 
Preached  there  to  a  few  people,  but  met  with  opposition, 
and  found  the  Methodists  had  done  no  great  good.  The 
courthouse  here  is  shut  against  us,  but  it  is  open  for 
dances  and  balls. 

Asbury  had  the  unfortunate  habit  of  using  initials  very 
largely.  Wherever  possible  the  names  have  been  filled  in, 
but  in  many  cases  this  could  not  be  done. 

Apr.  10.  Set  out  for  Bohemia  Manor,  where  I  found 
that  some  mischievous  opposers  had  thrown  the  people 
into  confusion. 

Bohemia  Manor  was  in  Cecil  County,  Maryland,  near  the 
Delaware  line,  and  had  been  a  favorite  stopping  place  of 
Whitefield's. 

Asbury  Chides  Himself 

Apr.  II.  Found  an  inattention  to  study,  an  unsettled 
frame  of  mind,  much  insensibility  of  soul,  and  a  back- 
wardness to  prayer.  Lord,  help  me  with  an  active 
warmth  to  move,  and  with  a  vigorous  soul  to  rise ! 
Visited  an  old  man  who  was  sick,  with  whom  I  had  some 
conversation,  though  not  much ;  but  came  away  without 
prayer;  and  was  justly  blamed  both  by  my  friends  and 
myself.  I  would  have  prayed  with  him,  but  two  men 
came  in  whose  countenances  I  did  not  like,  and  therefore 


i8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

neglected  my  duty  through  the  fear  of  man.  I  have 
nothing  to  plead  to  palliate  my  omission.  It  is  true  that 
to  introduce  prayer  among  prayerless  people  is  not  an 
easy  matter ;  yet  this  is  no  excuse  for  me.  Lord,  forgive 
both  my  secret  and  open  faults,  my  failings  of  omission 
and  commission :  help  me  to  have  respect  to  all  thy  com- 
mandments, and  to  be  blameless  before  thee  in  all  things ! 

Apr.  12.  Preached  to-day  at  my  friend  H.'s,  as  also 
the  evening  before.  The  house  was  filled  both  before 
and  after  dinner.  The  Lord  gave  me  great  liberty  and 
power;  and  I  humbly  believe  that  some  trembled  under 
the  word.  O  that  it  may  not  wear  ofif !  I  preached  from 
these  words:  "The  wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell,  and 
all  the  nations  that  forget  God."  After  describing  the 
wicked,  and  showing  wherein  they  forget  God,  I  at- 
tempted to  prove  the  torments  to  be  real  and  eternal,  from 
the  real  joys  and  duration  of  heaven. 

Apr.  13.  Visited  E.  T..  and  saw  his  father,  who  is  a 
hundred  years  old,  or  more.  He  had  lately  lost  his  wife, 
who  was  younger  than  he ;  and  in  her  he  lost  his  nurse 
and  earthly  comfort. 

Apr.  14.  Was  advised  and  invited  to  preach  at  Wil- 
mington, which  I  did,  though  there  were  but  few  to  hear. 

Apr.  15.  Rode  to  Chester,  and  preached  in  the  court- 
house. The  Church  minister  and  many  Quakers  were 
present ;  but  the  congregation  appeared  to  be  the  wildest 
I  had  seen  in  America.  But  I  humbly  hope  the  labor  was 
not  all  in  vain.  In  the  morning  I  visited  and  spoke  with 
great  freedom  to  four  men  who  were  under  sentence  of 
death. 

Apr.  16.  I  rode  through  a  heavy  rain  to  Philadelphia, 
and  preached  the  next  morning  with  some  freedom. 

Apr.  21.  My  mind  is  quiet  and  serene.  I  am  now  free 
from  company,  which  is  very  pleasing  to  me,  having 
found  that  much  company  is  both  disagreeable  and 
dangerous. 


1772]  HALF-HEARTED  METHODISTS  19 

Apk.  22.  Met  the  society,  and  ^und  both  Hfc  and 
Hberty  among  the  people.  This  night  JJrother  Wright 
came  in  from  X'irginia.  He  gives  a  flaming  account  of 
tlie  work  there.  Many  of  the  people  seem  to  be  ripe  for 
the  gospel,  and  ready  to  receive  us.  I  humbly  hope,  be- 
fore long,  about  seven  preachers  of  us  will  spread  seven 
or  eight  hundred  miles,  and  preach  in  as  many  places  as 
we  are  able  to  attend.  Lord,  make  us  humble,  watchful, 
and  useful  to  the  end  of  our  lives  ! 

A  Letter  from  Wesley  Read 

Apr.  25.  Preached  to  the  people  with  some  sharpness. 
In  the  evening  I  kept  the  door,  met  the  society,  and  read 
Mr.  Wesley's  epistle  to  them. 

Apr.  28.  Heard  that  many  were  offended  at  my  shut- 
ting them  out  of  society  meeting,  as  they  had  been  greatly 
indulged  before.  But  this  does  not  trouble  me.  While  I 
stay,  the  rules  must  be  attended  to;  and  I  cannot  suffer 
myself  to  be  guided  by  half-hearted  Methodists.  An 
elderly  Friend  told  me  very  gravely  that  "the  opinion  of 
the  people  was  much  changed,  within  a  few  days,  about 
Methodism,  and  that  the  Quakers  and  other  dissenters 
had  laxed  their  discipline ;'  that  none  but  the  Roman 
Catholics  kept  it  up  with  strictness."  But  these  things 
do  not  move  me. 

Apr.  30.  Set  out  for  Philadelphia,  but  about  a  mile 
from  the  city  found  that  the  bridge  could  not  be  crossed 
on  horseback,  so  I  left  my  horse  and  walked  to  the  ferry. 
Brother  Wright  took  the  horse  and  went  to  Burlington, 
on  his  way  to  New  York.  Was  desired  to  attend  the 
execution  of  the  prisoners  at  Chester,  and  John  King 
went  with  me.  We  found  them  penitent,  and  two  of  the 
four  obtained  peace  with  God,  and  seemed  thankful.  I 
preached  with  liberty  to  a  great  number  of  people  under 
the  jail  wall.  The  sheriff  was  friendly  and  very  kind. 
John  King  preached  at  the  gallows  to  a  vast  multitude ; 


20  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

after  which  I  pra_^d  with  them.  The  executioner  pre- 
tended to  tie  them  all  up,  but  only  tied  one,  and  let  the 
rest  fall.  One  of  them  was  a  young  man  about  fifteen. 
We  saw  them  all  afterward,  and  exhorted  them  to  be 
careful.  We  returned  to  Philadelphia  the  same  night, 
and  I  gave  an  exhortation. 

May  5.  Set  out  for  Burlington  again,  and  preached 
to  a  serious  people.  But  how  is  my  soul  troubled  that  I 
am  not  more  devoted !  O  my  God !  my  soul  groans  and 
longs  for  this. 

Visits  Some  Prisoners 

May  7.  Visited  some  prisoners ;  and  one  of  them,  wlio 
is  to  be  tried  for  his  life,  seemed  much  affected.  In  the 
evening  I  preached,  and  felt  my  heart  much  united  to  this 
people.  Next  morning  set  off  for  Philadelphia,  and  got 
in  time  enough  for  intercession ;  after  which,  I  visited  a 
sick  friend,  who  rested  her  soul  on  God,  and  then  I 
preached  in  the  evening. 

May  12.  Set  off  for  the  Jerseys.  My  mind  enjoys 
sweet  peace  and  the  love  of  God.  It  is  my  desire  to  be 
entirely  devoted  to  God,  who  opens  the  hearts  of  people 
to  receive  me,  and  my  heart  to  deliver  his  counsel  to  them. 
How  blessed  his  service ! 

May  13.  Preached  at  three  o'clock  on,  "Behold,  I 
stand  at  the  door,  and  knock."  O,  what  a  time  of  satis- 
faction and  power  was  this  to  my  own  soul !  Went  after- 
ward to  Mr.  T.'s,  and  many  friends  came  at  eight  o'clock, 
when  I  was  enabled  to  preach  with  life. 

May  17.  After  preaching  in  the  morning  I  went  to 
see  G.  H.,  who  was  near  to  eternity.  lie  had  peace  in 
his  soul.  Some  slight  me  in  this  place  on  account  of  my 
attention  to  discipline ;  and  some  drop  off.  But  my  work 
is  to  please  God. 

May  19.  Went  about  sixteen  miles  into  the  country, 
and  preached  at  eleven  o'clock,  with  energy  of  soul.    A 


1772]  A  WORD  IN  SEASON  ^  21 

Presbyterian  minister,  who  attended  my  prcachint;-  this 
morning",  accompanied  me  part  of  the  way  back.  \Ve 
conversed  by  tlie  way,  on  the  evidences  of  rehgion,  the 
work  of  God,  and  sending  out  preachers.  This  morning 
I  arose  with  more  spiritual  strength,  and  felt  a  great  de- 
sire to  do  the  will  of  God  with  all  purity  of  intention, 
desire,  and  thought ;  that  in  all  things  God  may  be  glori- 
fied through  Jesus  Christ. 

May  25.  Went  to  Burlington,  and  preached  in  the 
evening,  though  very  sick. 

May  26.  Found  myself  very  ill,  but  visited  a  prisoner 
under  sentence  of  death,  and  strove  much  to  fasten  con- 
viction on  his  heart.  Through  the  mercy  of  God,  I  hope 
the  poor  man  was  humbled. 

Attends  the  Execution  of  a  Murderer 

May  29.  I  preached  under  the  jail  wall,  and  for  the 
benefit  of  the  prisoner  attended  him  to  the  place  of  execu- 
tion. When  he  came  forth  he  roared  like  n  bull  in  a  net. 
He  looked  on  every  side,  and  shrieked  for  help ;  but  all  in 
vain.  O,  how  awful !  Die  he  must — I  fear,  unprepared. 
I  prayed  with  him,  and  for  him.  How  difficult  it  is — if  I 
may  use  the  term — to  drench  a  hardened  sinner  with  re- 
ligion !  I  saw  him  tied  up ;  and  then,  stepping  on  a 
wagon,  I  spoke  a  word  in  season,  and  warned  the  people 
to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  improve  the  day  of 
their  gracious  visitation,  no  more  grieving  the  Spirit  of 
God,  lest  a  day  should  come  in  which  they  may  cry,  and 
God  may  refuse  to  hear  them.  We  then  rode  home  to 
Philadelphia,  w^here  T  exhorted  in  the  evening,  and  found 
myself  much  more  drawn  out  than  I  expected. 

May  31.  Preached  morning  and  evening  with  some 
life,  but  found  that  ofl"enses  increased.  However,  I  can- 
not help  it.  My  way  is  to  go  straight  forward,  and  aim  at 
what  is  right. 

June  i.     Preached  this  morning  at  five  o'clock;  and 


22  ^  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

this  day  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Wesley,  and  experienced  a  great 
degree  of  purity  in  my  soul. 

June  5.  At  Greenwich  I  was  weak  in  body,  but  had 
some  Hberty  in  preaching  to  about  two  hundred  wilHng 
people ;  but  at  Gloucester  I  preached  only  to  a  few  dead 
souls,  from  this  striking  passage :  "The  word  preached 
did"  not  profit  them,  not  being  mixed  with  faith  in  them 
that  heard  it,"  I  must  observe  that  in  this  journey  I  have 
been  kept  in  peace,  and  had  more  freedom,  life,  and  power 
than  I  ever  experienced  in  the  city. 

June  8.  With  much  disagreeable  company  I  set  off 
for  Trenton,  where  many  felt  the  divine  power  accom- 
panying the  word  preached. 

June  ii.  Set  off  in  the  stage  for  Bristol,  and  crossed 
the  water  to  see  a  man  suspected  of  murder,  but  found 
him  very  ignorant  of  things  relating  to  his  soul.  I  then 
returned  to  Philadelphia  very  sick. 

June  12.  I  was  a  little  better,  and  rose  to  preach  at 
five  o'clock.  The  Lord  was  with  me  this  day  at  inter- 
cession. 

June  13.  Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped.  Praised  be 
his  dear  name ! 

June  14.  After  preaching  in  the  morning  with  some 
freedom  of  mind  I  went  to  Saint  Paul's,  and  afterward 
spent  the  afternoon  in  my  room ;  then  preached,  and  met 
the  society  in  the  evening ;  but  felt  great  dryness,  and 
was  grieved  to  see  so  much  conformity  to  the  world,  in 
the  article  of  dress,  among  our  people, 

June  2^.  Walked  down  to  Gloucester  Point,  and  then 
rode  to  Brother  C.'s ;  and  though  very  weak,  weary,  wet, 
and  low,  while  it  rained  very  hard,  I  preached  with  some 
power  to  many  people  from  these  words:  "As  the  rain 
cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and  returneth 
not  thither,  but  watereth  the  earth,  and  maketh  it  bring 
forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and 
bread  to  the  eater:  so  shall  my  word  be  that  goeth  forth 


177  2]  CROSSES  THE  FERRY  23 

out  of  my  mouth :  it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but  it 
shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall  prosper 
in  the  thing  whereto  I  sent  it"  (Isa.  55.  10,  11). 

Raises  Funds  for  Church  in  Philadelphia 

June  25.  Traveling  back  toward  Gloucester,  I  called 
at  Squire  P.'s,  and  jjresented  him  with  a  petition  for  rais- 
ing £150  to  discharge  the  debt  on  our  preaching  house  at 
Philadelphia.  He  promised  both  to  give  himself  and  to 
propose  it  to  others. 

June  26.  Returned  to  Philadelphia,  and  preached  at 
eight  with  some  power.  I  find  that  Satan  strives  to  sow 
discord  among  us ;  and  this  makes  me  desirous  to  leave 
the  city. 

June  29.  Set  out  for  Trenton  with  some  loose  and 
trifling  company  in  the  stage.  After  preaching  in  the 
evening  with  some  life  and  energy  I  went  the  next  day  to 
preach  in  the  field,  and  then  returned  and  preached  with 
freedom  to  many  people  in  the  courthouse.  The  hearers 
gave  good  attention. 

July  i.  Went  over  the  ferry  and  preached  to  many 
people,  among  whom  were  some  fine  women,  who  be- 
haved with  airs  of  great  indififerency.  Returning  to 
Trenton,  I  preached  at  night,  and  the  next  morning  at 
five,  after  which  I  set  off  for  Philadelphia  with  unprofit- 
able company,  among  whom  I  sat  still  as  a  man  dumb, 
and  as  one  in  whose  mouth  there  was  no  reproof.  They 
appeared  so  stupidly  ignorant,  sceptical,  deistical,  and 
atheistical,  that  I  thought  if  there  were  110  other  hell  I 
should  strive  with  all  my  might  to  shun  that.  Came  home 
late  and  weary,  but  preached  with  some  comfort.  I  have 
lately  been  blessed  with  much  purity  of  intention  and 
fervor  of  spirit,  but  greatly  thirst  after  living  more 
in  God. 

July  4.  Went  to  Burlington,  in  order  to  attend  the 
execution  of  one  S.,  a  murderer;  and  declared  to  a  great 


24  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

number  of  people  under  the  jail  wall,  "He  healeth  the 
broken  in  heart."  The  poor  criminal  appeared  penitent, 
behaved  with  great  solidity,  and  expressed  a  desire  to 
leave  the  world. 

July  20  (Trenton).  Met  with  Brother  Sause  from 
New  York,  who  informed  me  that  I  was  to  go  to  New 
York ;  which  was  what  I  did  not  expect ;  but  feel  myself 
quite  easy,  not  being  fixed  in  any  place. 

Sets  Otit  for  New  York 

July  2.2,.  Left  Philadelphia  on  the  Lord's  Day  even- 
ing, after  preaching  on  these  words :  "If  I  come  again,  I 
will  not  spare."  Went  to  New  Mills,  where  I  preached  on 
Tuesday  night  and  Wednesday  morning,  and  found  the 
people  there  very  affectionate ;  then  returned  to  Burling- 
ton, and  found  many  friends  from  Philadelphia.  We  had 
power  among  us  at  night,  and  the  next  morning  at  three 
I  set  off  for  Amboy.  We  came  to  the  stage-house 
through  much  rain  and  bad  roads,  about  seven  o'clock ; 
thence  w^e  went  to  Amboy,  and  took  lodging  at  a  tavern. 
Have  been  kept  in  peace  through  this  journey,  felt  great 
courage  in  the  work  of  God,  and  go  toward  New  York  in 
faith.  The  congregation  at  Amboy  was  small,  and  they 
appeared  to  be  such  as  cared  but  little  for  the  gospel ;  so 
that  my  hope  of  that  place  is  but  slender.  On  Saturday 
evening  I  preached  with  some  power,  to  a  large  congre- 
gation of  rich  and  poor,  from  these  words:  "Even  from 
the  days  of  your  fathers  ye  have  gone  away  from  mine 
ordinances,  and  have  not  kept  them.  Return  unto  me, 
and  I  will  return  unto  you."  After  preachmg  with  great 
liberty  on  the  Lord's  Day,  to  many  people  at  Van  Pelt's 
and  Justice  Wright's  on  Staten  Island,  I  set  ofif  on  Mon- 
day in  a  boat  for  New  York;  and  arriving  about  five 
o'clock,  found  Mr.  Richard  Wright,  who  that  night 
had  preached  his  farewell  sermon,  and  told  the  people 
that  he  did  not  expect  to  see  them  any  more.     I  have 


1772]  FAVORED  WITH  LIBERTY  25 

always  dealt  honestly  with  him,  but  he  has  been  spoiled 
by  gifts.  He  has  been  pretty  strict  in  the  society,  but 
ended  all  with  a  general  love  feast,  which  1  think  is  un- 
doing all  that  he  has  done.  However,  none  of  these  things 
move  me.  My  mind  is  calm,  and  my  soul  under  a 
comfortable  sense  of  God;  and  I  am  determined,  by  his 
grace,  to  keep  on  in  the  way  of  my  duty,  if  it  should  be 
my  lot  to  stand  alone. 

Aug.  4.  ]My  soul  felt  life,  and  power,  and  renewed 
courage.  Discovering  the  unfaithfulness  of  some  who 
first  spoil  a  man  and  then  condemn  him,  I  intend  to  keep 
such  at  a  proper  distance. 

Aug.  8.  After  preaching  in  the  morning  I  found  the 
Lord  near,  and  had  great  peace  at  intercession.  It  pleases 
me  much  to  see  the  people  diligent  in  attending  the  word ; 
and  find  myself  favored  with  liberty  and  the  power  of 
God  in  my  labors  among  them ;  and  humbly  hope  that 
God  will  make  known  his  power  among  this  people,  and 
drive  Satan  from  them,  and  that  we  shall  }'et  see  good 
days  in  this  place. 

Aug.  10.  The  congregations  are  steady,  and  we  look 
for  the  power  of  God  both  in  our  own  souls  and  among 
the  people.  O,  my  God,  make  bare  thine  arm !  After 
preaching  in  the  evening,  with  some  opening  of  heart, 
and  to  a  full  house,  I  met  the  society ;  and  then  set  out, 
on  Monday  morning,  for  New  Rochelle,  and  preached 
the  same  night  at  friend  De  Veau's,  about  thirty  miles 
from  New  York. 

Aug.  12.  My  soul  does  not  forget  God  ;  but  my  desire 
is  still  toward  him,  and  the  remembrance  of  his  name. 
On  Wednesday  I  found  my  mind  somewhat  engaged  ;  but 
on  Thursday  had  some  fears  of  coming  short  of  eternal 
life.  A  cloud  rested  on  my  mind,  which  was  occasioned 
by  talking  and  jesting;  I  also  feel  at  times  tempted  to 
impatience  and  pride  of  heart;  but  the  Lord  graciously 
blessed  me  with  life  and  power  in  preaching  at  night,  and 


26 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1772 


I  afterward  found  my  mind  fixed  on  God,  and  an  earnest 
longing  to  be  always  holy  in  heart  and  life. 

Aug.  16.  Reached  New  York,  and  there  received  a 
letter  from  my  father  and  friend,  Mr.  Mather,  who  in- 
formed me  of  the  preachers  returning  to  England. 
Preached  also  this  evening  with  some  satisfaction,  but 
found  broken  classes,  and  a  disordered  society,  so  that 
my  heart  was  sunk  within  me ;  but  it  is  still  my  desire  to 
commit  myself  to  God. 


WESLEY  CHAPEL,  THE  FIRST     JOHN  STREET  CHURCH. 


Aug.  18.  This  has  been  a  day  of  distress  to  my  soul. 
I  was  opposed  for  meeting  the  society,  because  one  or 
two  classes  met  at  that  time ;  which  seemed  to  me  a  very 
weak  objection,  as  tliose  classes  might  meet  at  another 
time. 

Aug.  21.  O  that  my  soul  could  be  more  intimately  and 
sweetly  united  to  the  Lord !  In  the  evening  I  preached 
with  power,  but  have  found  my  soul  troubled  within  me, 
on  account  of  a  party  spirit  which  seems  to  prevail  too 


177  2]  WESLEY'S  LETTER  READ  27 

much  ill  this  place.  But  they  must  answer  for  their  own 
conduct.  My  business  is,  through  the  grace  of  God,  to 
go  straight  forward,  acting  with  honesty,  prudence,  and 
caution,  and  then  leave  the  event  to  Him. 

Aug.  24.  Met  the  society,  and  read  Mr.  Wesley's 
letter. 

Sept.  5.  Found  my  soul  grieved  at  the  discovery  of 
parties  among  the  people.  Who  can  find  a  faithful  man? 
Lord,  help  me  to  be  faithful. 

Important  Questions  Discussed 

Sept.  6.  Found  peace  in  my  soul,  and  held  a  meeting 
for  the  better  ordering  of  the  spiritual  and  temporal  af- 
fairs of  the  society.  In  this  meeting  I  propounded  the 
following  queries : 

1.  How  often  shall  there  be  public  preaching?  Agreed, 
that  it  should  be  on  Tuesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday 
nights,  besides  the  Lord's  Day,  and  exhortation  on  Satur- 
day night. 

2.  Shall  we  have  morning  preaching?  This  was 
agreed  to. 

3.  Shall  we  have  the  society  meetings  private?  This 
was  doubted  by  some ;  but  I  insisted  on  it,  from  our  rules 
and  Mr.  Wesley's  last  letter. 

4.  Shall  we  make  a  weekly  and  quarterly  collection  ? 
Agreed. 

5.  Can  any  other  means  be  devised  to  lessen  the  debt? 
The  debt  was  ii,ioo;  but  no  other  means  could  be  found 
to  relieve  it. 

6.  Ought  we  not  to  be  more  strict  with  disorderly  per- 
sons?   Very  little  was  said  in  answer  to  this. 

7.  Shall  we  have  three  stewards,  for  the  satisfaction  of 
the  society?    The  majority  voted  against  it. 

8.  Are  we  as  frugal  as  we  can  be?  Tt  was  thought  we 
were. 

9.  Will  the  stewards  meet  me  once  a  week?    Agreed. 


28  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

10.  Do  we  endeavor  to  avoid  all  partiality  in  the  things 
of  God? 

11.  Can  we  come  at  the  balance  of  our  accounts  now  or 
soon  ?    It  was  thought  we  could. 

12.  Who  will  stand  at  the  door  ?    Not  determined. 

13.  Shall  we  meet  the  society  on  Sunday  nights?  This 
was  opposed  by  some.  But  I  insisted  upon  its  being  the 
best  time ;  and  at  last  it  was  agreed  to  for  a  season. 

14.  Who  shall  be  the  collectors?  This  was  not  deter- 
mined, though  debated. 

15.  Can  the  preacher  meet  the  children?    Agreed. 

16.  Can  we  spread  the  books?  There  was  but  little 
said  on  this  head,  and  it  was  left  undetermined. 

Holds  to  Methodist  Doctrine  and  Discipline 

Sept.  10.  It  appears  to  me  that  trouble  is  at  hand ;  but 
I  fear  nothing,  being  conscious  of  having  acted  uprightly 
before  them  all,  and  having  no  by-ends  in  view.  Whoever 
has,  must  answer  for  it.  Whatever  comes,  I  am  deter- 
mined, while  here,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  proceed  ac- 
cording to  the  Methodist  doctrine  and  discipline. 

Sept.  ii.  I  met  the  people  in  the  morning  to  discourse 
with  them  about  their  temporal  matters,  and  appointed 
Mr.  Chave  to  take  an  account  of  the  weekly  and  quarterly 
collections.  But  the  other  two  stewards  refused  an  exact 
entry  of  the  money  that  is  not  settled.  However,  the 
people  must  have  the  same  satisfaction  concerning  the 
other  collections.  Saturday  morning  I  felt  a  strong  de- 
sire to  live  to  God,  and  act  with  a  single  eye  to  his  glory 
in  all  that  I  do.  On  Saturday  evening  we  had  a  com- 
fortable meeting.  After  preaching  to  many  people  on  the 
Lord's  Day  at  seven,  I  prepared  to  approach  the  table. 
There  was  a  great  drawing  among  the  people  while  these 
words  were  enforced :  ''This  do  in  remembrance  of  me." 
Lord,  prepare  my  heart.  My  bleeding  Lord !  let  my  soul 
feel  thy  melting  love.     Lord,  make  all  thy  people  glad 


C772]  AT  THE  LORD'S  TABLE  29 

together  in  thee,  that  thou  niayest  be  glorified  in  and  by 
us  both  now  and  ever.  At  the  table  I  was  greatly  affected 
with  the  sight  of  the  poor  negroes,  seeing  their  sable 
faces  at  the  table  of  the  Lord.  In  the  evening  I  had  a 
full  house  and  much  divine  assistance. 

Sept.  16.  I  set  off  for  Newtown,  and  found  nearness 
to  God,  and  more  constancy  of  mind.  Our  journey  was 
wet  and  troublesome ;  however,  there  was  a  small  com- 
pany of  people,  and  I  preached  with  courage,  disregard- 
ing my  fatigue,  if  any  good  can  be  done.  We  returned 
to  New  York  in  the  night,  which  was  very  dark :  but  lie 
to  whom  the  darkness  is  known,  conducted  us  in  safety. 

Sept.  23.  I  am  now  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  and 
have  had  a  religious  concern  on  my  heart  about  fourteen 
}'ears ;  though  I  felt  something  of  God  as  early  as  the  age 
of  seven. 

Sept.  25.  This  day  we  received  tidings  from  Philadel- 
phia of  their  doing  well  both  in  spiritual  and  temporal 
matters.  Some  have  been  much  dissatisfied  with  private 
society  meetings,  and  collections  in  the  classes.  But  in 
the  midst  of  every  trial  the  Lord  keeps  me  in  peace. 

Sept.  2^.  Preaching  this  morning  on  "building  the 
tower,"  I  had  some  assistance,  but  experienced  some 
heavy  exercises  of  mind  this  day.  In  the  evening  I  was 
enabled  to  preach  with  power,  on  the  awful  subject  of  the 
judgment:  attempting, 

I.  To  prove  that  the  judgment  will  be  universal;  2.  To 
describe  the  person  of  the  Judge ;  3.  To  describe  the 
awful  events  preceding  and  attending  that  period ;  4.  To 
point  out  the  business  of  the  day ;  5.  To  show  the  decision 
and  consequences. 

Oct.  3.  Mr.  Wright  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wesley 
enforcing  our  rules  snd  discipline.  My  desire  is  to  sit 
loose  to  every  created  object. 

Oct.  5.  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Wesley,  and  communicated  the 
tme  sentiments  of  my  mind. 


30  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

Oct.  6.  After  preaching  at  night  with  some  power  I 
spoke  to  our  steward,  whose  conduct  did  not  altogether 
please  me,  frequently  avoiding  to  speak  to  me,  absenting 
himself  from  the  meeting  of  the  leaders,  the  appearance 
of  dissimulation,  opposing  our  rules,  and  consulting  per- 
sons who  were  not  members  of  our  society.  He  appeared 
to  be  somewhat  affected  by  the  conversation. 

Oct.  9.  I  met  the  leaders,  and  there  were  some  sharp 
debates.  After  much  had  been  said,  I  was  charged  with 
using  Mr.  Newton  ill,  in  saying  he  opposed  my  meeting 
the  society.  Mr.  Lupton  told  me  I  had  already  preached 
the  people  away,  and  intimated  that  the  whole  work  would 
be  destroyed  by  me.  Perhaps  this  was  because  I  spoke 
so  freely  to  Mr.  Newton,  and  desired  him  to  take  care 
what  company  he  kept. 

Wesley  Appoints  Asbary  Assistant 

Oct.  10.  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wesley,  in  which 
he  required  a  strict  attention  to  discipline,  and  appointed 
me  to  act  as  assistant.  He  also  enjoined  that  Mr.  Wright 
might  not  print  any  more  books  without  his  consent. 

Oct.  12.  Read  one  of  Mr.  Wesley's  sermons  to  the 
people,  and  believe  some  felt  it  reproving  them  for  evil 
speaking.  My  intention  is  to  deal  faithfully  with  all ;  and 
it  is  my  real  opinion  that  I  am  not  so  sensible  of  faults  in 
any  other  person  as  in  myself.  Lord,  help  me  to  be  faith- 
ful, and  in  all  I  do  to  glorify  thee  more  than  ever ! 

Oct.  19.  Set  off  in  the  stage  for  Philadelphia.  The 
company  was  all  pretty  quiet,  except  one  young  man,  who 
frequently  profaned  the  name  of  the  Lord.  It  was  my 
intention  to  reprove  him,  but,  waiting  for  a  proper  time,  I 
found  an  opportunity  when  there  was  only  one  person 
with  him,  and  then  told  him  how  he  had  grieved  me.  He 
received  the  admonition  very  well,  and  excused  himself 
by  saying  he  did  not  think  of  what  he  was  doing.  After- 
ward he  seemed  more  careful.     After  dining  at  Bruns- 


1772]  AT  PRINCETON   COLLEGE  31 

wick  wc  came  to  Princeton,  a  place  I  had  long  wished  to 
see  for  the  sake  of  the  pious  Mr.  Davies,  late  president  of 
the  college  there.  Here  I  met  Mr.  Boardman,  and  we 
both  agreed  in  judgment  about  the  affairs  of  the  society, 
and  were  comforted  together.  The  next  day  I  came  to 
Trenton ;  but  a  drunken  sailor  had  locked  up  the  court- 
house, so  I  was  obliged  to  preach  in  a  schoolhouse,  where 
we  had  a  comfortable  meeting,  and  also  at  five  the  next 
morning. 

Oct.  q.'j.  I  called  at  the  Chester  jail,  and  saw  the 
prisoners,  who  all  seemed  hardened  to  a  man,  and  among 
them  were  the  wretched  three  that  I  saw  escape  the  gal- 
lows before ;  two  of  these  had  behaved  so  badly  they  were 
now  in  chains.  Lord,  what  is  man  !  And  what  am  I 
without  thy  grace !  Keep  me,  keep  me,  holy  Lord,  and 
never  let  me  go !  Let  me  die  rather  than  live  to  sin 
against  thee !  I  spoke  freely  to  one  of  them,  who  was  a 
murderer. 

Oct.  31.  Rose  early  this  morning,  and  purpose, 
through  grace,  to  devote  this  day  to  God.  I  have  traveled, 
since  Monday  w^eek,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

Nov.  I.  After  preaching  at  H.'s  in  the  morning  I  in- 
tended to  preach  in  the  schoolhouse  in  the  afternoon,  but 
it  would  not  contain  half  the  people ;  so  I  stood  at  the 
door  and  the  people  without.  Went  to  bed  very  ill  this 
evening,  but  rose  at  five,  and,  feeling  better,  set  ofif  for 
Susquehanna.  The  next  morning  my  soul  longed  for 
God.  I  felt  a  comfortable  sense  of  his  love  in  my  heart, 
and  can  rejoice  in  him  as  my  all-sufficient  portion.  In 
the  afternoon  we  rode  in  company  to  the  bay  side.  A  few 
people,  who  came  straggling  after  the  time  at  friend 
Nathaniel  Giles's,  felt  themselves  affected  by  the  power 
of  God.  At  friend  Gatch's  the  family  was  called  together 
in  the  evening,  and  Richard  Webster  gave  a  moving  ex- 
hortation. One  person  seemed  affected.  The  next  morn- 
ing I  rose  at  five,  my  usual  time,  and  spent  one  hour  in 


32  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

solemn,  secret  prayer.  Friend  Gatch  treated  me  with 
great  kindness,  and  pressed  me  to  call  again. 

Philip  Gatch  was  "one  of  the  most  admirable  characters  in 
early  Methodist  history."  His  name  occurs  frequently  in  the 
Journal. 

I  then  went  to  Rocky  Run,  and  preached  to  a  num- 
ber of  people,  among  whom  were  many  Friends.  For 
some  days  past  my  mind  has  been  blest  with  much  peace ; 
so  that  I  experience  a  present  salvation,  and  hope  to  expe- 
rience that  which  is  eternal.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  what 
I  feel !  Glory,  glory  be  given  to  my  dear  and  gracious 
Saviour ! 

Nov.  4.  This  evening  I  had  a  very  solemn  family 
meeting,  and  spoke  separately  and  pointedly  to  everyone, 
both  black  and  white. 

Sets  Out  for  Deer  Creek 

Nov.  5.  Rising  at  my  usual  time,  I  had  a  comfortable 
sense  of  God  upon  my  heart.  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  Lord ! 
After  breakfast,  Mrs.  Gatch,  her  brother,  and  myself  set 
out  for  Deer  Creek.  We  called  at  a  Friends'  meeting, 
and  heard  two  men  and  a  woman  speak.  They  all  spoke 
to  purpose.  We  then  proceeded  to  Mr.  M.'s,  and  unex- 
pectedly found  the  people,  at  two  o'clock,  waiting  to  hear 
the  word.  I  preached  with  liberty,  and  the  power  of  God 
was  felt  in  the  hearts  of  many,  though  some  of  them  were 
principal  men.  The  man  of  the  house  looked  very  ear- 
nestly at  me  while  I  was  preaching.     I  then  published 

preaching  at  S.  L 's ;  where  we  had  also  a  comfortable 

time.     S.  L himself  was  deeply  affected.     He  had 

been  a  ranting  Quaker,  and  a  rebellious  man ;  but  God 
hath  touched  his  heart,  and  wrought  a  good  work  on  him 
and  several  others  here.  The  next  day  we  proceeded  to 
Henry  Watters's,  whose  brother  is  an  exhorter,  and  now 
gone  with  Mr.  Williams  to  Virginia.  The  Lord  hath 
done  great  things  for  these  people,  notwithstanding  the 
weakness  of  the  instruments  and  some  little  irregularities. 


1772]  MEETS  STRAWBRIDGE  ^^ 

Men  who  ncitlicr  feared  God  nor  regarded  man— swear- 
ers, liars,  cock-Hghters,  card-players,  horse-racers,  drunk- 
ards, etc.,  are  now  so  changed  as  to  become  new  men; 
and  they  are  filled  with  the  praises  of  God.  This  is  the 
Lord's  work,  and  it  is  marvelous  in  our  eyes.  Not  unto 
us,  O  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy  name  be  all  the 
glory ! 

Nov.  7.  We  had  a  powerful  meeting  at  Henry  Wat- 
ters's;  several  from  Mr.  M.'s  followed  me,  and  seemed  to 
give  good  attention  to  the  things  of  God.  Here  I  met 
with  Nicholas  Watters,  an  exhorter,  who  appears  to  be  a 
serious  and  sensible  man. 

A  Mixed  Congregation 

Nov.  8.  At  the  widow  Bond's  there  were  many  people, 
both  black  and  white,  rich  and  poor,  who  were  all  ex- 
horted to  seek  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found.  Some  of 
the  young  women  of  this  family  are  serious  and 
thoughtful. 

Nov.  II.  Many  people  attended  preaching  at  friend 
Strawbridge's,  among  whom  were  some  Baptists,  who 
went  away  displeased.  I  have  read  Dr.  S.  on  the  non- 
eternity  of  hell  torments.  But  by  his  arguments  we  may 
as  well  prove  the  non-eternity  of  heavenly  joys;  for  he 
calls  it  an  alujvcov  life.  Now,  if  the  aMviov  life  of  saints 
arises  from  a  principle  of  spiritual  life  derived  from 
Christ,  then  the  alcbviov  death  of  the  wicked  arises  from 
a  principle  of  spiritual  death  in  them ;  and  the  one  will 
come  to  an  end  as  soon  as  the  other. 

Nov.  12.  Preached  at  friend  Catch's.  There  are  some 
Baptists  in  this  neighborhood,  who  oppose  the  work  un- 
der us,  and  perplex  and  trouble  our  young  beginners, 
though  they  let  me  alone. 

Nov.  18.  The  next  morning  I  went  to  friend  Straw- 
bridge's,  and  found  his  family  well.  Here  we  had  Dr. 
Warfield  and  several  polite  people  to  dine  with  us.     I 


34  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

spoke  to  the  ladies  about  headdresses ;  but  the  doctor 
vindicated  them,  observing  that  religion  did  not  consist 
in  dress.  I  quoted  the  words  of  St.  Peter ;  I  stayed  about 
an  hour,  and  then  departed. 

Nov.  19.  Set  ofif  for  Frederica.  A  poor,  unhappy  man 
abused  me  much  on  the  road :  he  cursed,  swore,  and  threw 
stones  at  me.  But  I  found  it  my  duty  to  talk  to  him  and 
show  him  his  danger. 

Nov.  25.  We  rode  about  twenty  miles  to  my  old  friend 
Joshua  Owing's,  the  forest  home  for  the  Methodists  at 
that  time,  and  found  a  very  agreeable  house  and  family. 
The  old  man  is  "an  Israelite  indeed."  He  was  once  a 
serious  churchman,  who  sought  for  the  truth ;  and  now 
God  has  revealed  it  to  him.  The  Lord  has  also  begun  to 
bless  his  family.  He  has  one  son  a  preacher,  and  the  rest 
of  his  children  are  very  thoughtful. 

A  Heart-Affecting  Time 

Dec.  3.  Preached  at  James  Presbury's,  to  many  peo- 
ple who  could  feel  the  word,  and  with  much  power  in  my 
own  soul.  Then  rode  three  miles  into  the  Neck,  and  had 
a  solemn,  heart-affecting  time,  while  preaching  from  Rev. 
2.  I'l ;  a  passage  which,  it  seems,  just  suited  their  case. 

Presbury  was  one  of  ten  or  twelve  native  local  preachers 
and  exhorters  who  had  been  licensed  in  Maryland,  such  as 
Richard  Owings,  William  Watters,  Richard  Webster,  Nathan 
Perigau,  Isaac  Rollins,  Hezelciah  Bonham,  Nicolas  Watters, 
Sater  Stephenson,  and  Philip  Gatch. 

Dec.  6.  Went  about  five  miles  to  preach  in  our.  first 
preaching  house.  The  house  had  no  windows  or  doors, 
the  weather  was  very  cold,  so  that  my  heart  pitied  the 
people  when  I  saw  them  so  exposed.  Putting  a  handker- 
chief over  my  head,  I  preached,  and  after  an  hour's  inter- 
mission, the  people  waiting  all  the  time  in  the  cold,  I 
preached  again. 

Dec.  7.  John  King  and  I  went  about  five  miles  to 
lodge,  and  the  next  morning  set  off  for  Bohemia.     We 


177  2]  A  SURPRISING  LETTER  35 

passed  through  Charlestown,  and  dined  at  the  head  of 
the  Elk.  Since  I  went  from  here  last  my  travels  have 
been,  perhaps,  as  much  as  three  hundred  miles  in  about 
six  weeks.  Rode  to  li.'s  tavern  for  my  trunk  and 
box  of  books;  and  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Pilmoor 
which  surpassed  everything  I  ever  had  met  with  from  a 
Methodist  preacher.  The  Lord  judge  between  him 
and  me ! 

Asbtiry  Forbidden  to  Preacn 

Dec.  II.  Went  twelve  miles  into  Kent  County,  and 
had  many  great  people  to  hear  me.  But,  before  preach- 
ing, one  Mr.  ^Eneas  Ross,  a  Church  minister,  came  to  me 
and  desired  to  know  who  I  was,  and  whether  I  was 
licensed.  I  told  him  who  I  was.  He  spoke  great,  swell- 
ing words,  and  told  me  he  had  authority  over  the  people, 
and  was  charged  with  the  care  of  their  souls.  He  also 
told  me  that  I  could  not,  and  should  not  preach,  and  if 
I  did  he  would  proceed  against  me  according  to  law.  I 
let  him  know  that  I  came  to  preach,  and  preach  I  would ; 
and  further  asked  him  if  he  had  authority  to  bind  the 
consciences  of  the  people,  or  if  he  was  a  justice  of  the 
peace ;  and  told  him  I  thought  he  had  nothing  to  do  with 
me.  He  charged  me  with  making  a  schism.  I  told  him 
that  I  did  not  draw  the  people  from  the  church,  and 
asked  him  if  his  church  was  then  open?  He  told  me  that 
I  hindered  people  from  their  work;  but  I  asked  him  if 
fairs  and  horse  races  did  not  hinder  them,  and,  further, 
told  him  that  I  came  to  help  him.  He  said  he  had  not 
hired  me  for  an  assistant,  and  did  not  want  my  help.  I 
told  him  that  if  there  were  no  swearers  or  other  sinners 
he  was  sufficient.  "But,"  said  he,  "what  did  you  come 
for?"  I  replied,  "To  turn  sinners  to  God."  He  said, 
"Cannot  I  do  that  as  well  as  you?"  I  told  him  that  I  had 
authority  from  God.  He  then  laughed  at  me,  and  said, 
"You  are  a  fine  fellow,  indeed !"    I  told  him  I  did  not  do 


36  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1772 

this  to  invalidate  his  authority,  and  also  gave  him  to  un- 
derstand that  I  did  not  wish  to  dispute  with  him ;  but  he 
said  he  had  business  with  me,  and  came  into  the  house 
in  a  great  rage.  I  began  to  preach,  and  urged  the  people 
to  repent  and  turn  from  all  their  transgressions,  so 
iniquity  should  not  prove  their  ruin.  After  preaching  the 
parson  went  out,  and  told  the  people  they  did  wrong  in 
coming  to  hear  me,  and  said  I  spoke  against  learning; 
whereas  I  only  spoke  to  this  purpose — when  a  man  turned 
from  all  sin  he  would  adorn  every  character  in  life,  both 
in  church  and  state.  I  left  him,  and  preached  at  seven 
o'clock. 

Dec.  23.  Set  off  for  James  Presbury's,  to  attend  our 
quarterly  meeting.  Many  people  attended,  and  several 
friends  came  many  miles.  I  preached  from  Acts  20.  28: 
"Take  heed  therefore  unto  yourselves,"  etc.  After  show- 
ing to  whom  the  charge  was  given  I  proceeded  to  enforce 
the  subject  thus:  i.  Take  heed  to  your  spirits;  2.  Take 
heed  to  3^our  practice ;  3.  Take  heed  to  your  doctrine ; 
4.  Take  heed  to  the  flock :  ( i )  Those  that  are  under  deep 
conviction;  (2)  Those  that  are  true  believers ;  (3)  Those 
that  are  sorely  tempted ;  (4)  Those  that  are  groaning 
for  full  redemption;  (5)  Those  that  have  backslidden. 
I  then  urged  the  motives  to  this  duty.  We  afterward 
proceeded  to  our  temporal  business,  and  considered  the 
following  propositions:  i.  What  are  our  collections? 
We  found  them  sufficient  to  defray  our  expenses.  2.  How 
are  the  preachers  stationed?  Brother  Strawbridge  and 
Brother  Owings  in  Frederick  County.  Brother  King, 
Brother  Watters,  and  Isaac  Rollins  on  the  other  side  of 
the  bay ;  and  myself  in  Baltimore.  3.  Shall  we  be  strict 
in  our  society  meetings,  and  not  admit  strangers? 
Agreed.  4.  Shall  we  drop  preaching  in  the  daytime 
through  the  week  ?  Not  agreed  to.  5.  Will  the  people  be 
contented  without  our  administering  the  sacrament? 
John    King   was   neuter;    Brother    Strawbridge   pleaded 


1773]       THE  PEOPLE  AND  ORDINANCES  37 

much  for  the  ordinances,  and  so  (hd  the  pcojile,  who  ap- 
peared to  he  much  hiased  hy  liim.  I  told  them  I  would 
not  agree  to  it  at  that  time,  and  insisted  on  our  ahiding 
by  our  rules.  But  Mr.  Boardman  had  given  them  their 
way  at  the  quarterly  meeting  held  here  before,  and  I  was 
obliged  to  connive  at  some  things  for  the  sake  of  peace. 
6.  Shall  we  make  collections  weekly,  to  pay  the  preachers' 
board  and  expenses?  This  was  not  agreed  to.  We  then 
inquired  into  the  moral  characters  of  the  preachers  and 
exhorters.  Only  one  exhorter  was  found  any  way  doubt- 
ful, and  we  have  great  hopes  of  him.  Brother  Straw- 
bridge  received  £8  quarterage ;  Brother  King  and  myself 
£G  each.  Great  love  subsisted  among  us  in  this  meeting, 
and  we  parted  in  peace. 

Christmas  Day 

I  then  went  to  Joseph  Dallam's,  and  on  Christmas  Day 
attended  the  church,  and  heard  Parson  West  preach  a 
plain,  useful  sermon  w'hich  contained  much  truth,  and 
afterward  received  the  sacrament. 

Dec.  27.  Rode  to  the  widow  Bond's,  and  preached 
twice,  with  very  little  intermission,  to  a  great  number  of 
people.  Appointing  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  hearing  Isaac  Rollins  exhort.  His  exhor- 
tation was  coarse  and  loud  enough,  though  with  some 
depth.  I  gave  him  a  little  advice,  which  he  seemed  will- 
ing to  take. 

Jan.  I,  1773.  My  body  has  been  weak  for  some  time, 
but  my  mind  has  enjoyed  a  good  degree  of  peace,  and  I 
have  a  strong  desire  to  be  kept  in  the  meekness  of  Jesus 
Christ.  My  heart  has  been  afifected  by  reading  lately, 
part  of  Sewel's  History  of  the  Quakers.  How  great  was 
the  spirit  of  persecution  in  New  England,  when  some 
were  imprisoned,  some  had  their  ears  cut  off,  and  some 
were  hanged !  O  that  our  God  would  arise,  and  bow  the 
nations  to  himself ! 


38 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1773 


Jan.  3.  Rode  to  Baltimore,  and  had  a  large  congrega- 
tion at  the  house  of  Captain  Paten,  at  the  Point.  Many 
of  the  principal  people  were  there,  and  the  Lord  enabled 
me  to  speak  with  power.     At  night  I  preached  in  town. 


MAP  OF 
MAI^YLAND 


METHODIST  MARYLAND. 

The  house  was  well  filled  with  people,  and  we  have  a  com- 
fortable hope  the  work  of  the  Lord  will  revive  in  this 
place.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  ye  saints !  Holiness  is  the  ele- 
ment of  my  soul.  ]\[y  earnest  prayer  is  that  nothing  con- 
trary to  holiness  may  live  in  me. 

Jan.  17.     Preaching  to-day  at  friend  Perigau's,  on  the 


1773]  THE  BARR.EN  FIG  TREE  39 

barren  fig  tree,  I  first  showed  that  it  was  appHcable  to  the 
Jews,  and,  secondly,  to  the  Protestant  church ;  at  the 
same  time  described  the  barren  fig  tree  as  one  without 
leaves,  or  one  without  blossoms,  or  one  without  fruit,  or 
one  that  did  not  bear  so  much  fruit  as  another  might  bear. 
Jan.  19.  Alany  country  people  came  to  hear  the  word 
at  Joppa,  though  but  few  from  the  town.  There  are  about 
forty  houses  in  this  town,  and  it  stands  on  a  neck  of  land 
near  the  w^ater ;  but  the  people  seem  to  be  buried  in  trade, 
sensuality,  and  superstition. 

Writes  His  Mother 

Jan.  24.  I  preached  twice  at  the  Point,  and  once  in 
town  (Baltimore).  This  day  I  wrote  to  my  mother;  and 
in  the  evening  found  great  consolation. 

Asbury's  Baltimore  circuit  comprised  about  twenty-four 
charges  at  this  time.  It  extended  fully  two  hundred  miles, 
and  was  covered  by  him  every  three  weeks. 

Jan.  30.  Perceiving  the  great  wickedness  of  the  peo- 
ple w'ho  were  swearing  and  drinking  in  a  tavern,  great 
struggles  arose  in  my  mind  about  preaching  there;  how- 
ever, I  broke  through  every  difficulty,  and  felt  both  life 
and  power  in  dispensing  the  word  among  them. 

Jan.  31.  This  was  a  day  of  power  and  comfort.  I 
rode  to  Joseph  Presbury's,  preached  three  times,  and  met 
the  classes.  Many  of  the  people,  through  grace,  were 
able  to  give  a  good  account  of  their  experience. 

Feb.  2.  Was  greatly  assisted  in  preaching  to-day.  both 
at  Swan  Creek  and  Mr.  Dallam's.  The  next  morning  I 
breakfasted  with  Richard  Dallam,  and  found  that  he  was 
very  fond  of  Mr.  Law's  works.  He  treated  me  with  great 
kindness.  After  preaching  and  meeting  the  society  at 
the  ferry  I  went  to  Jacob  Giles's,  a  man  much  talked  of. 
but  what  he  is  I  know  not.  In  principle  he  appeared  to 
be  a  Quaker.  He  was  much  troubled  with  the  gout, 
which,  he  told  me,  his  father  had  before  him.     He  said 


40  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1773 

his  father  cured  himself  of  the  gout  by  milk  and  moderate 
diet,  but  threw  himself  into  a  dropsy. 

Feb.  8.  Though  the  weatheV  was  very  cold,  I  went  to 
W.  B.'s,  and  enforced,  on  a  dull  congregation,  these  awful 
words  of  our  Lord,  "What  shall  it  profit  a  man,  if  he 
shall  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul?"  I 
went  afterward  to  the  widow  Bond's,  and  spoke  closely 
•  to  the  girls,  who  appeared  to  be  somewhat  serious. 

Feb.  21.  The  weather  was  excessively  severe,  yet 
many  people  came  to  hear  the  word  at  James  Presbury's. 
I  rode  about  six  or  seven  miles  to  preach  in  the  Neck, 
but  never  felt  colder  weather.  The  water  froze  as  it  ran 
from  the  horse's  nostrils,  and  a  friend  said  the  water  froze 
as  it  came  from  his  eyes.  However,  after  preaching  to  a 
few  people,  I  returned. 

Feb.  22.  I  had  sixteen  miles  to  ride  to  preach  to  a  few 
people,  and  five  more  to  Joseph  Dallam's  to  get  my  dinner. 
I  have  sufifered  a  little  by  lodging  in  open  houses  this 
cold  weather ;  but  this  is  a  very  small  thing  when  com- 
pared to  what  the  dear  Redeemer  suffered  for  the  salva- 
tion of  precious  souls. 

Feb.  25.  Two  letters  came  to  hand  to-day,  one  from 
New  York  and  one  from  Philadelphia.  They  entreat  me 
to  return,  and  inform  me  that  trouble  is  at  hand.  But  I 
cannot  fear  while  my  heart  is  upright  with  God.  I  seek 
nothing  but  him,  and  fear  nothing  but  his  displeasure. 

Encowraging  News 

Mar.  8.  Rose  this  morning  with  a  determination  to 
fight  or  die;  and  spent  an  hour  in  earnest  prayer.  Lord, 
keep  me  ever  watchful.  I  was  also  much  comforted  by  a 
letter  which  I  lately  received  from  Richard  Owings.  part 
of  which  was  as  follows :  "I  know  not  what  it  will  come 
to.  Almost  every  person  seems  to  be  under  a  religious 
concern.  There  are  about  twenty-two  persons  already 
joined  in  society  at  Seneca.     At  Georgetown  four  have 


1773]  A  FUNERAL  SERMON  41 

been  lately  enabled  to  rejoice  in  God ;  and  one  at  Rocky 
Creek.  Blessed  be  God,  who  hath  not  forgotten  to  be 
gracious." 

Seed  by  the  Wayside 

Mar.  12.  Preached  a  funeral  sermon  from  Isa.  57.  i,  2: 
"The  righteous  perisheth,  and  no  man  layeth  it  to  heart : 
and  merciful  men  are  taken  away,  none  considering  that 
the  righteous  is  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come.  He 
shall  enter  into  peace :  they  shall  rest  in  their  beds,  each 
one  walking  in  his  uprightness."  This  was  a  solemn  time 
indeed.  What  melting  and  weeping  appeared  among  the 
people !  There  was  scarce  a  dry  eye  to  be  seen.  O  that 
it  may  not  be  as  seed  sown  by  the  wayside ! 

Mar.  19.  I  spoke  with  power  to  many  people  at  New- 
castle. Went  thence  to  Wilmington,  and  spoke  to  a  few 
people  with  great  feeling. 

Mar.  24.  Many  great  people  attended  the  preaching 
at  W.'s ;  and  I  then  went  about  twenty  miles,  through 
wet  weather  and  bad  roads.  The  night  was  very  dark, 
the  road  was  through  the  woods,  and  it  was  late  before 
we  reached  the  place,  but,  by  the  help  of  a  good  guide,  I 
got  there  safe  at  last. 

"  In  all  my  ways  Thy  hand  I  own, 
Thy  ruling  providence  I  see: 
Assist  me  still  my  course  to  run, 
And  still  direct  my  paths  to  thee." 

I  was  somewhat  troubled  to  hear  of  Mr.  Williams,  who 
had  printed  some  of  Mr.  Wesley's  books  for  the  sake  of 
gain.    This  will  not  do.    It  does  by  no  means  look  well. 

Mar.  26.  Many  young  people  attended  among  others, 
at  Christeen  Bridge,  while  I  preached  from  Eccl.  11.  9: 
"Rejoice,  O  young  man,  in  thy  youth ;  and  let  thy  heart 
cheer  thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the  ways 
of  thy  heart,  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes :  but  know 
thou,  that  for  all  these  things  God  will  bring  thee  into 


42  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1773 

judgment."  Deep  seriousness  sat  on  the  faces  of  all,  and 
the  mouths  of  many  gainsayers  were  in  a  great  measure 
stopped. 

Mar.  29.  Rode  twenty  miles  to  Susquehanna,  and  just 
got  in,  almost  spent,  time  enough  to  preach  at  three 
o'clock.  Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  me.  Praised 
forever  be  his  dear  and  blessed  name  ! 

Mar.  30.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began.  After  I  had 
preached  we  proceeded  to  business,  and  in  our  little  con- 
ference the  following  queries  were  propounded,  namely: 

1.  Are  there  no  disorderly  persons  in  our  classes?  It  was 
thought  not.  2.  Does  not  dram-drinking  too  much  pre- 
vail among  our  people?  3.  Do  none  contract  debts  with- 
out due  care  to  pay  them?  We  found  that  this  evil  is 
much  avoided  among  our  people.  4.  Are  the  band  meet- 
ings kept  up?  5.  Is  there  nothing  immoral  in  any  of  our 
preachers  ?  6.  What  preachers  travel  now,  and  where  are 
they  stationed  ?  It  was  then  urged  that  none  must  break 
our  rules,  under  the  penalty  of  being  excluded  from  our 
connection.    Discipline  must  be  enforced  ! 

Strawbridge  Preaches 

All  was  settled  in  the  most  amicable  manner.  Mr. 
Strawbridge  preached  a  good  and  useful  sermon  from  Joel 

2.  17:  "Let  the  priests,  the  ministers  of  the  Lord,  weep 
between  the  porch  and  the  altar,"  etc.  Many  people  were 
present  at  our  love  feast,  among  whom  were  some  stran- 
gers ;  but  all  were  deeply  serious,  and  the  power  of  God 
was  much  present  indeed.  Brother  Owings  preached  a 
very  alarming  sermon,  and  Brother  Strawbridge  gave  a 
moving  exhortation.  The  whole  ended  in  great  peace. 
And  we  all  went,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  to  our 
several  appointments. 

Apr.  3.  Preached  at  Baltimore,  where  we  had  a  com- 
fortable meeting.  W>nt  thence  to  the  Forest,  and 
preached  at  seven  o'clock,  with  great  comfort.     Several 


1773]      DENOMINATIONS  IN  NEW  YORK  43 

rich  people  attended  preaching  the  last  three  days,  and 
did  not  seem  displeased  with  the  plain  truths  of  the  gospel. 

Here,  as  in  many  other  places  in  the  Journal,  there  is  much 
confusion  and  uncertainty  as  to  dates.  April  3,  Asbury 
preaches  in  Baltimore,  and  according  to  succeeding  entries  in 
his  Journal  leaves  Baltimore  April  8,  reaches  Philadelphia 
April  14,  spends  several  days  in  various  places  and  in  attend- 
ing to  various  matters,  and  then  without  explanation  appears 
to  be  in  New  York  April  4. 

Apr.  4.  After  preaching  in  the  morning  on  Heb.  12.  15, 
I  went  in  the  afternoon  to  churchy  and  heard  Mr.  E. 
preach  a  useful  sermon. 

Mr.  E.  was  probably  the  Rev.  William  Eldred  of  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church. 

Later  I  preached  on  Eccl.  ii.  9,  "Rejoice,  O  young 
man,  in  thy  youth."  The  young  people  appeared  deeply 
serious.  May  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  attend  it,  and 
great  fruit  appear  in  time  to  come !  The  next  day  I  rode 
to  Bloomingdale,  and  preached  wuth  satisfaction ;  and 
then  returned  home,  and  found  it  a  blessing  to  labor  in 
the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  both  in  season  and  out  of  season. 
New  York  is  a  large  city,  and  well  situated  for  trade, 
but  the  streets  and  buildings  are  very  irregular.  The  in- 
habitants are  of  various  denominations,  but  nevertheless 
of  a  courteous  and  sociable  disposition.  There  are  several 
places  of  divine  worship :  the  Episcopalians  have  three ; 
the  High  Dutch,  one  ;  the  Low  Dutch,  three ;  the  Luth- 
erans, two ;  the  French  Protestants,  one ;  the  Presby- 
terians, two ;  the  Seceders,  one ;  the  Baptists,  one ;  the 
Moravians,  one ;  the  Methodists,  one ;  and  the  Jews,  one. 
The  city  abounds  with  inhabitants,  but  the  exact  number 
I  could  not  ascertain. 

Apr.  II.  I  went  through  my  morning  exercises  in 
church  as  usual,  and  in  the  afternoon  heard  a  good  ser- 
mon, but  a  more  gay  and  undevout  congregation  I  have 
seldom  seen ;  they  were  talking,  laughing,  bowing,  and 


44  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1773 

trifling  both  with  God  and  their  minister,  as  well  as 
with  their  own  unawakened  souls.  On  Tuesday  I 
took  my  leave  of  New  York,  after  preaching  from 
Phil.  I.  9. 

Apr.  15.  I  preached  for  the  first  time,  on  this  visit  in 
Philadelphia,  on  Ruth  2.  4.  Many  people  attended,  and 
the  Lord  filled  my  heart  with  holy  gladness.  All  things 
are  in  peace  here. 

Apr.  22.  From  the  seventeenth  till  the  twenty-second 
was  spent  in  the  Jerseys,  where  I  preached  at  different 
places,  and  often  to  large  congregations.  The  Lord  was 
frequently  with  me  in  mercy  and  power ;  and  my  heart 
was  greatly  enlarged.  How  I  long  to  be  more  holy,  to 
live  more  with  God,  and  for  God !  Troubles  encompass 
me  about;  but  the  Lord  is  my  helper.  Before  my  return 
to  Philadelphia  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  founda- 
tion laid  of  a  new  preaching  house,  thirty-five  feet  by 
thirty. 

May  2.  My  soul  was  favored,  both  yesterday  and  this 
morning,  with  delightful  and  intimate  accesses  to  God. 
In  preaching  this  morning  from  these  words,  "Try  the 
spirits  whether  they  are  of  God,"  I  took  occasion  to  show : 

1.  That   this   is   the   duty   of   all   that  profess    religion; 

2.  That  they  should  bring  their  experience  and  practice 
to  the  word  of  God,  to  know  if  they  be  genuine.  After 
preaching  to  a  large  congregation  in  the  evening  I  met 
the  society,  and  thought  it  necessary  to  deal  closely  with 
the  members. 

Hears  from  Wesley 

May  6.  After  spending  a  few  days  in  a  country  tour, 
preaching  to  many  people  at  Goshen,  Marlborough,  and 
other  places,  with  some  assistance,  T  returned  and 
preached  in  Philadelphia  this  evening,  on  the  subject  of 
the  stony-ground  hearers.  Some  perhaps  were  displeased 
with  me.    But  I  must  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God, 


1773]  WATCHMEN  ON  THE  WALLS  45 

and  leave  the  event  to  him.  This  day  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Wesley  came  to  hand,  dated  March  2,  in  which  he  informs 
me  that  the  time  of  his  coming  over  to  America  is  not  yet, 
being  detained  by  the  building  of  the  new  chapel. 

Parable  of  the  Sower 

Mx\.Y  13.  Through  much  rain  I  returned,  wet  and 
weary,  to  Philadelphia,  after  having  preached  at  several 
places  in  the  Jerseys,  and  sometimes  with  much  freedom 
and  power.  Many  people  attended  this  evening,  wdiile  I 
described  an  honest  and  good  heart,  under  the  similitude 
of  the  good  ground  which  received  the  seed  and  brought 
forth  fruit.  This  was  free  from  the  hardness  of  the  way- 
side, from  the  shallowness  of  the  stony  ground,  and  from 
the  obstructions  of  the  thorny  ground.  The  honesty  of 
the  heart  appears  in  its  conduct  toward  God,  toward  all 
mankind,  and  toward  itself.  As  our  Lord  is  pleased  to 
denominate  such  a  heart  good  as  well  as  honest,  is  it  not 
very  wrong  for  a  Christian  to  say  he  has  a  had  heart  ?  Is 
not  all  that  the  Holy  Ghost  produces  good?  And  so  far 
as  that  blessed  Spirit  has  changed  the  heart  of  a  believer, 
is  it  not  good? 

May  24.  I  preached  from  Isa.  62.  6 :  'T  have  set  watch- 
men," etc.,  and  took  occasion,  i.  To  show  that  the  Lord 
calls,  authorizes,  and  qualifies  all  faithful  ministers ; 
2.  Delineated  their  character  as  watchmen ;  3.  Observed 
that  they  were  to  keep  watch  on  the  walls ;  4.  The  duties 
enjoined,  "They  shall  not  hold  their  peace";  "Keep  not 
silence."  While  opening  this  passage  the  Lord  greatly 
comforted  my  soul.  The  next  morning  I  expatiated  on 
Canticles  i.  7,  and  considered,  i.  The  address,  "Tell  me, 
O  thou  whom  my  soul  loveth" ;  2.  The  request,  "Where 
thou  feedest,"  etc.  This  denotes  the  sincere  desire  of  a 
true  believer  in  the  time  of  division  or  persecution,  or 
general  declension  of  true  piety ;  3.  The  humble  query, 
"Why  should  I  be  as  one  that  turneth  aside  by  the  flocks 


46  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1773 

of  thy  companions?''  This  indicates  a  fear  of  being  ex- 
posed to  false  teachers,  who  name  the  name  of  Christ  but 
deny  him  in  experience,  doctrine,  and  practice.  How 
fearful  is  a  pious  soul  of  turning  aside  as  a  forlorn,  neg- 
lected creature,  exposed  to  the  malice  and  designs  of 
devils  and  ungodly  men. 

May  27.  My  text  was  Isa.  33.  16:  "He  shall  dwell  on 
high :  his  place  of  defense  shall  be  the  munitions  of  rocks," 
etc.  I.  I  inquired  to  whom  this  promise  is  made ;  2.  How 
"he  shall  dwell  on  high" — high  in  faith,  love,  and  church 
privileges,  above  the  power  of  Satan,  the  world,  and  all 
dangers;  so  that  none  of  them  shall  injure  his  soul. 
3.  "His  defense  shall  be  the  munitions  of  rocks."  Christ 
shall  be  the  rock  of  his  defense,  and  the  love,  truth,  faith- 
fulness, mercy,  and  power  of  God  shall  inclose  him  on 
every  side.  4.  "His  bread  shall  be  given  him,"  all  things 
needful  for  life  and  godliness. 

June  3.  To  my  great  comfort  arrived  Mr.  Rankin, 
Mr.  Shadford,  Air.  Yearbry,  and  Captain  Webb.  j\Ir. 
Rankin  preached  a  good  sermon  on  these  words :  "1  have 
set  before  thee  an  open  door,  and  no  m.an  can  shut  it." 
He  will  not  be  admired  as  a  preacher.  But  as  a  disci- 
plinarian he  will  fill  his  place. 

Receives  the  Sacrament 

June  6.  After  preaching  both  yesterday  and  this 
morning  at  Burlington  I  went  to  church  in  order  to  re- 
ceive the  sacrament.  But  the  parson  gave  us  a  strange 
discourse,  full  of  inconsistency  and  raillery.  Leaving  him 
to  answer  for  his  own  conduct,  I  took  no  further  notice 
of  it,  but  preached  at  night  from  these  words :  "The 
natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of 
God,"  etc.,  and  showed,  i.  What  the  things  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  are ;  2.  Described  the  natural  man  ;  and  3.  Showed 
how  they  appear  to  be  foolishness  to  him :  and  that  he 
cannot  know  them,  by  the  strength  of  his  natural  or  ac- 


1773]  LETTER  TO  WESLEY  47 

quired  abilities.     The  little  society  in  Burlington  appears 
to  be  in  a  comfortable  and  prosperous  state. 

June  10.  1  wrote  to  Mr.  Wesley  to-day,  and  in  the 
evening  addressed  my  discourse  chiefly  to  the  young  peo- 
ple.   May  the  Lord  apply  it  to  their  hearts  ! 

Rankin  and  Asbury  at  Princeton 

June  ii.  Mr.  Rankin  came  to  Trenton.  After  dinner 
and  prayer  we  set  off  together  for  Princeton.  On  Satur- 
day we  reached  New  York,  and  our  friends  there,  having 
previous  notice  of  our  coming,  kindly  met  us  on  the  dock 
where  we  landed.  The  sight  of  Mr.  Wright,  with  some 
other  concurring  circumstances,  affected  Mr.  Rankin  so 
that  he  appeared  to  be  rather  cast  down  in  his  mind. 

June  13.  I  preached  this  morning  to  a  considerable 
number  of  people.  Mr.  Rankin  found  his  spirits  raised, 
and  was  much  comforted.  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  Rankin, 
Captain  Webb,  Mr.  Wright,  and  myself  went  to  Saint 
Paul's  Church,  and  received  the  sacrament.  At  night 
Mr.  Rankin  dispensed  the  word  of  truth  with  power.  It 
reached  the  hearts  of  many,  and  they  appeared  to  be  much 
quickened. 

June  14.  Many  were  present  while  I  preached  from 
3  John  4:  'T  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  that  my 
children  walk  in  truth."  The  Lord  favors  me  with  great 
discoveries  of  my  defects  and  unfaithfulness.  But, 
blessed  be  God,  my  soul  is  humbled  under  these  dis- 
coveries. I  received  a  letter  this  day  from  that  venerable 
father  in  Christ,  Mr.  Wesley. 

June  28.  While  preaching  to-day  on  Isa.  62.  6  Mr. 
P.,  the  Presbyterian  minister,  made  one  of  the  congrega- 
tion. After  service  we  had  some  conversation  on  re- 
ligious subjects.  He  had  imbibed  that  absurd  scheme, 
namely,  that  we  are  born  again  before  we  repent  and  be- 
lieve. How  strange,  that  any  man  should  suppose  the 
effect  is  produced  before  the  instrumental  causes  exist! 


48  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1773 

But,  by  the  grace  of  God,  none  of  these  things  shall  move 
me  from  the  gospel  plan  of  salvation.  The  next  day  he 
attended  preaching  again.  I  had  lent  him  Mr.  Fletcher's 
Second  Check.  He  approved  of  the  latter  part,  though 
not  of  the  first.  May  the  truth  of  God  spread  here  and  in 
every  place ! 

Whitefield's  Orphanage  Burned 

July  i.  Set  off  for  New  York,  and,  having  a  tedious 
passage  over  the  North  River,  I  spent  some  time  in  serious 
conversation  with  two  men  in  the  boat,  and  hope  it  was 
not  in  vain.  Then  I  came  safe  to  New  York,  and 
preached  from  Hab.  3.  2 :  "O  Lord,  revive  thy  work  in 
the  midst  of  the  years."  On  Friday  arrived  the  sorrowful 
news  of  the  destruction  of  Mr.  Whitefield's  Orphan 
Flouse.  As  there  was  no  fire  in  the  house,  it  was  sup- 
posed to  have  been  set  on  fire  by  lightning,  which  had 
been  in  the  morning,  as  some  say,  accompanied  with  a 
sulphureous  smell.  It  broke  out  in  a  rapid  flame  about 
seven  or  eight  o'clock  at  night,  and  consumed  the  whole 
building,  except  the  two  wings. 

July  9.  After  intercession  I  went  to  see  Mr.  Lupton. 
Mr.  Sause.  Mr.  White,  and  myself  were  charged  with 
winking  at  the  follies  of  some.  We  had  a  little  debate  on 
the  subject,  and  Mr.  Lupton  was  pleased  to  say,  "He  did 
not  know  but  the  church  door  would  be  shut  against  me ;" 
and  that  "some  persons  would  not  suffer  matters  to  go  on 
so."  He  moreover  told  me  "the  preachers'  gifts  were 
taken  away."  How  dangerous  it  is  to  be  addicted  to 
pride  and  passion,  going  from  house  to  house,  speaking 
perverse  things ! 

July  ii.  I  preached  twice  with  great  plainness  to  a 
large  number  of  people ;  and  then  set  oft',  in  company  with 
Mr.  J.,  toward  Philadelphia.  Came  safe  to  the  city  on 
Thursday,  but  did  not  find  such  perfect  harmony  as  I 
could  wish  for. 


1773]       FIRST  AMERICAN  CONFERENCE  49 

July  14.  Our  Conference  began :  in  which  the  fol- 
lowing propositions  were  agreed  to : 

1.  The  old  Methodist  doctrine  and  discipline  shall  be 
enforced  and  maintained  among  all  our  societies  in 
America. 

2.  Any  preacher  who  acts  otherwise  cannot  be  retained 
among  us  as  a  fellow  laborer  in  the  vineyard. 

3.  No  preacher  in  our  connection  shall  be  permitted  to 
administer  the  ordinances  at  this  time  except  Mr.  Straw- 
bridge,  and  he  under  the  particular  direction  of  the 
assistant. 

The  action  which  was  taken  admitted  no  exception.  Ac- 
cording to  Stevens  the  first  rule  agreed  to  was :  '  'Every  preacher, 
who  acts  in  connection  with  Mr.  Wesley  and  the  brethren  who 
labor  in  America,  is  strictly  to  avoid  administering  the  ordi- 
nances of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper."  But  Strawbridge 
insisted  that  the  people  had  a  right  to  the  sacraments  and 
could  not  be  deterred  from  administering  them.  Stevens 
further  says  that  this  singular  concession  as  indicated  by 
Asbury  "shows  the  extraordinary  consideration  in  which 
Strawbridge  was  held." 

4.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  more  than  once  or  twice 
to  our  love  feasts  or  society  meetings  without  becoming  a 
member. 

5.  No  preacher  shall  be  permitted  to  reprint  our  books 
without  the  approbation  of  Mr.  Wesley  and  the  consent 
of  his  brethren.  And  that  Robert  Williams  shall  be  al- 
lowed to  sell  what  he  has,  but  reprint  no  more. 

6.  Every  assistant  is  to  send  an  account  of  the  work  of 
God  in  his  circuit  to  the  general  assistant. 

Delegates  at  First  Conference 

There  were  some  debates  among  the  preachers  in  this 
Conference  relative  to  the  conduct  of  some  who  had 
manifested  a  desire  to  abide  in  the  cities  and  live  like 
gentlemen.  Three  years  out  of  four  have  been  already 
spent  in  the  cities.    It  was  also  found  that  money  had  been 


50  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1773 

wasted,  improper  leaders  appointed,  and  many  of  our 
rules  broken. 

July  16.  I  set  oft"  for  Chester,  and  had  a  comfortable 
time  in  preaching.  I  understand  that  some  dissatisfied 
persons  in  New  York  threaten  to  shut  the  church  door 
against  Mr.  Rankin,  If  they  should  be  bold  enough  to 
take  this  step  we  shall  see  what  the  consequence  will  be, 
and  no  doubt  but  the  Lord  will  bring  all  their  evil  deeds 
to  light.  O  that  it  may  be  for  the  salvation  of  their 
precious  souls ! 

July  18.  My  soul  has  enjoyed  great  peace  this  week, 
in  which  I  have  ridden  near  one  hundred  miles  since  my 
departure  from  Philadelphia,  and  have  preached  often, 
and  sometimes  great  solemnity  has  rested  on  the  congre- 
gations. I  received  a  letter  from  my  dear  Brother  Wes- 
ley, written  in  Ireland,  with  his  usual  plainness  and  hon- 
esty of  heart, 

Strawbridge  Obdurate 

Aug,  2,  We  began  our  quarterly  meeting.  After  our 
temporal  business  was  done  I  read  a  part  of  our  minutes, 
to  see  if  Brother  Strawbridge  wovild  conform ;  but  he  ap- 
peared to  be  inflexible.  He  would  not  administer  the  or- 
dinances under  our  direction  at  all.  Many  things  were 
said  on  the  subject,  and  a  few  of  the  people  took  part  with 
him, 

Aug,  4,  Preached  in  Baltimore,  in  Mrs.  Tribulet's  new 
house,  which  she  freely  lent  for  that  purpose.  There  ap- 
peared to  be  a  considerable  moving  under  the  word. 
After  preaching  the  next  niorning  at  the  Point  I  went  to 
see  a  woman,  once  happy  in  several  respects,  but  now 
under  distressing  circumstances.  Her  husband  was 
driven  from  her,  and  she  was  left  with  four  children. 
Many  people  in  general  attend  the  preaching  in  Balti- 
more, especially  after  we  have  been  long  enough  in  town 
for  the  inhabitants  to  receive  full  knowledge  of  our  being 


1773]  WITHOUT  HANDS  OR  FEET  51 

there.  And  1  have  a  sjreat  hope  that  the  Lord  will  do 
somethiiii:^  for  the  souls  in  this  i)laee,  though  the  little 
society  has  been  rather  neglected  for  want  of  proper  per- 
sons to  lead  them. 

Aug.  12.  In  public  worship,  at  Mr.  Giles's,  a  serious 
negro  was  powerfully  struck ;  and  though  he  made  but 
little  noise,  yet  he  trembled  so  exceedingly  that  the  very 
house  shook.    I  then  rode  to  Mr.  Hinson's,  and  was  kindly 


.1  •'■ 


THE    FIRST    CONFERENCE    IN    AMERICA,    I773. 

entertained.  Here  we  saw  a  little  woman  with  neither 
hands  nor  feet ;  yet  she  could  walk,  card,  spin,  sew,  and 
knit.     And  her  heart  rejoiced  in  God  her  Saviour. 

Sept.  i.  Much  distressed  on  account  of  so  few  preach- 
ers well  qualified  for  the  work,  and  so  many  who  are  for- 
ward to  preach  without  due  qualifications.  My  foolish 
mind  felt  rather  disposed  to  murmuring,  pride,  and  dis- 
content. Lord,  pardon  me,  and  grant  me  more  grace ! 
The  next  day  my  conscience  checked  me  for  the  appear- 


52  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1773 

ance  of  levity.  How  seriously  should  we  consider  the 
presence  of  the  Deity,  and  ever  remember  that  we  must 
render  an  account  of  all  our  conduct ! 

Sept.  5  (Baltimore).  In  the  morning  I  preached  in 
town,  and  then  at  the  Point,  where  the  people  seem  more 
attentive ;  and  afterward  returned  to  town,  and  preached 
at  night  to  a  large  congregation.  It  is  a  matter  of  great 
grief  to  me,  to  see  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  so  much 
devoted  to  pride,  spiritual  idolatry,  and  almost  every 
species  of  sin.  Lord,  visit  them  yet  in  tender  mercy,  to 
reform  and  save  their  souls. 

Favorable  Prospects 

Sept.  13.  Found  it  necessary  on  a  particular  occasion 
to  go  to  Pipe  Creek,  and  while  preaching  to  a  large  num- 
ber of  people  at  Richard  Owings's  the  power  of  the  Lord 
was  present.  My  mind  has  been  much  stayed  on  God  for 
some  time  past,  and  my  body  has  felt  but  little  weariness, 
though  on  some  days  I  have  preached  four  times.  Came 
to  William  Lynch's,  and  found  Mr.  Lynch  in  spiritual 
trouble ;  but  I  hope  the  Lord  will  soon  deliver  him,  and 
give  him  the  ''oil  of  joy  for  mourning."  Glory  to  God ! 
my  mind  is  kept  in  sweet  peace,  and  deeply  engaged  in 
every  duty.  Preached  on  Thursday  at  Mr.  Lynch's,  and 
there  appeared  to  be  some  small  awakenings  among  the 
people.  Thence  rode  to  Nathan  Perigau's.  He  appears 
to  be  a  man  that  fears  God  in  some  degree,  but  is  very 
stiff,  and  in  some  things  full  of  self-will.  My  mind  was 
as  it  were  in  chains,  while  preaching  at  Mr.  Hinson's,  but 
my  soul  was  greatly  blessed  while  dispensing  the  word  to 
a  large  congregation  at  Middle  River  Neck.  There  is  a 
prospect  of  some  good  being  done,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
in  this  place.  After  preaching  on  Saturday  with  freedom 
and  satisfaction  to  a  number  of  people  in  Gunpowder 
Neck  I  was  taken  very  sick,  and  after  a  very  restless 
night,  with  much  profuse  sweating,  I  rose  in  the  morning 


1773]  iLL  AT  DALLAM'S  53 

exceedingly  indisposed,  and  in  much  weakness  of  body 
went  through  the  pubHc  duties  of  the  day ;  but  the  Lord 
was  graciously  and  powerfully  with  me,  both  in  preaching 
and  society  meeting. 

Sept.  20.  My  soul  was  refreshed  with  the  love  of  God. 
LIow  do  I  long  for  a  mind  thoroughly  refined,  filled  with 
perfect  purity,  and  constantly  devoted  to  God !  The  pros- 
pect and  hope  of  this  frequently  transports  my  soul. 
Lord,  hasten  the  blessed  period !  Let  all  my  soul  be  swal- 
lowed up  in  love !  I  have  lately  been  reading  Mr.  Wesley 
on  the  ruin  and  recovery  of  man.  He  is  a  judicious 
writer,  in  the  main,  and  generally  illustrates  his  subjects 
well ;  but  some  of  his  sentiments  relative  to  infants,  I 
think,  are  very  exceptionable. 

Sept.  21.  I  crossed  the  bay,  in  company  with  a  few 
friends,  to  Kent  County.  After  a  good  passage  we 
reached  the  shore,  sat  down  to  rest  and  refresh  ourselves, 
and  then  joined  in  prayer.  We  walked  to  John  Randall's, 
where  we  were  informed  of  the  opposition  which  one  of 
our  preachers  met  with.  But  the  work  is  the  Lord's,  and 
they  that  oppose  his  work  oppose  his  omnipotence.  I 
read  Smollett's  description  of  the  Methodists,  and  cannot 
wonder  that  his  readers  who  have  no  personal  knowledge 
of  them  should  treat  the  Methodists  with  contempt.  But 
the  day  is  coming  when  everyone  will  appear  in  his  true 
colors,  and  be  constrained  to  render  an  account  of  all  his 
conduct  to  God.  A  high  fever  and  heavy  sweats  were 
my  companions  in  the  night,  and  the  next  morning  I  was 
too  sick  to  speak  in  prayer,  but  I  ventured  to  ride  in  a 
carriage  as  far  as  Mr.  Hinson's  in  the  afternoon. 

Sept.  30.  Though  very  weak  and  low,  the  Lord 
favored  me  with  a  good  opportunity,  life,  and  liberty,  at 
Daniel  Rufif's. 

Oct.  I.  I  was  exceedingly  ill  at  Mr.  Dallam's,  and  now 
began  to  think  my  traveling  would  be  interrupted.  This 
is  my  greatest  trouble  and  pain,  to  forsake  the  work  of 


54  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1773 

God,  and  to  neglect  the  people,  whose  spiritual  interest 
and  salvation  I  seek  with  my  whole  soul.  The  next  day, 
finding  myself  too  weak  to  travel,  I  sent  Brother  Ebert 
in  my  place ;  and  must  content  myself  to  abide  here  a 
while,  where  they  treat  me  with  the  greatest  care  and 
kindness. 

Oct.  3.  Every  day  I  have  endeavored  to  use  what  little 
strength  I  had  for  God ;  and  this  day  I  felt  something 
better  in  my  body  and  quite  serene  in  my  mind.  Rode  to 
Bush,  and  preached  to  many  people  with  considerable 
power,  but  had  a  violent  fever  at  night,  which  held  me 
nine  hours.  Sent  Brother  Whiteworth  in  my  place  to 
supply  the  appointments. 

Oct.  6.  My  disorder  returned,  and  my  body  was  in 
great  pain  for  many  hours.  Felt  some  patience,  but  not 
enough.  O  that  this  affliction  may  answer  the  intended 
end !  It  is  undoubtedly  a  gracious  providence  that  my  lot 
should  be  cast  in  the  family  of  Joseph  Dallam  during  my 
indisposition  to  travel.  I  shall  never  forget  the  kindness, 
or  discharge  the  obligations  I  am  under,  to  Mrs.  Sarah 
Dallam,  who  watched  and  waited  upon  me  day  and  night. 
God  grant  that  the  same  measure  which  she  has  meted  to 
me  may  return  upon  herself  and  her  children  ! 

Serious  Indisposition 

Oct.  25.  My  disorder  has  increased,  and  for  several 
days  my  indisposition  has  been  so  great  that  I  kept  no 
journal.  My  friends  wept  around,  and  expected  my  dis- 
solution was  near.  But  the  Lord  thought  on  both  them 
and  me,  to  raise  me  up  from  the  borders  of  death.  O  that 
my  few  remaining  days  may  be  spent  to  his  glory ! — that 
every  valuable  end  may  be  answered  by  my  future  life ! 

Nov.  4.  Our  quarterly  meeting  came  on,  and  I  at- 
tended the  private  business,  though  in  much  weakness  of 
body.  Some  of  my  brethren  did  not  altogether  please  me. 
My  hand  appears  still  to  be  against  every  man.     Mr. 


1773]  VISITS  ANNAPOLIS  55 

Rankin  conducted  the  meetinii;-.  At  the  close  of  the  whole 
I  discovered  the  affectionate  attachment  which  subsisted 
between  many  of  my  dear  friends  and  me.  It  cut  me  to 
the  heart  when  we  came  to  part  from  each  other. 

Fwneral  of  a  Presbyterian 

Nov.  13.  Though  I  have  not  preached  for  a  month, 
yet  I  ventured  to  attend  the  funeral  of  J.  Gallin,  a  Presby- 
terian, but  a  man  who  had  borne  a  Christian  character. 
As  they  could  get  no  preacher  of  their  own  profession, 
they  made  application  to  me.  Many  people  attended  on 
this  solemn  occasion,  and  it  was  a  very  moving  time. 

Nov.  15.  Found  myself  much  better  in  health,  and 
concluded  to  set  off  on  my  Master's  business  as  soon  as  I 
should  be  properly  equipped.  On  Thursday  my  heart  was 
fixed,  trusting  in  the  Lord  ;  and  as  my  body  was  gathering 
strength  I  set  out  on  Monday  for  Baltimore,  and  on  Fri- 
day reached  William  Lynch's.  who  entertained  me  with 
the  greatest  kindness.  Here  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
our  new  church  begun  on  Back  River  Neck.  The  next 
day  he  conducted  me  in  his  carriage  to  the  Point,  where  1 
was  enabled  to  preach  with  some  power. 

Nov.  25.  Had  occasion  to  go  to  Annapolis,  and  found 
some  desire  to  preach  there,  but,  perceiving  the  spirit  and 
practice  of  the  people,  i  declined  it.  A  tavern  keeper 
offered  me  the  use  of  his  house  for  preaching,  but  he  was 
a  Deist,  and  I  did  not  feel  free  to  open  my  mouth  in  his 
house. 

Dec.  I.  Preached  at  Nathan  Perigau's  and  William 
Lynch's. 

The  correct  spelling  of  some  of  the  names  to  which  Asbury 
makes  reference  is  not  easy  to  determine,  inasmuch  as  the  his- 
torians of  Methodism  are  not  agreed.  In  Hursfs  History  of 
American  Methodism  the  former  name  is  given  as  Perigo.  and 
in  Buckley's  History  of  Methodism  as  Perigeau.  In  this  case 
the  editor  follows  Asbury's  spelling,  not  always  a  wise  course, 
however,  to  take. 


56  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

At  Brother  Lynch's  many  more  people  attended  than 
we  could  expect,  considering  the  conduct  of  Abraham 
Rollins,  who  in  his  preaching  had  behaved  more  like  a 
madman   than  anything  else. 

Dec.  14.  We  had  a  comfortable  time  at  William 
Lynch's.  The  next  day  Mr.  Chase,  a  Church  minister, 
was  present  at  preaching.  We  had  some  conversation 
afterward,  in  which  we  did  not  disagree.  But,  poor  man ! 
one  more  ignorant  of  the  deep  things  of  God  I  have 
scarcely  met  with,  of  his  cloth. 

Dec.  18.  Though  in  a  high  fever,  I  rode  twenty  miles 
through  the  rain  to  Baltimore.  But  the  Lord  preserved 
me  ;  and  I  was  able  to  preach  to  a  small  company  at  night. 

Dec.  20.  Mrs.  Ruling  introduced  me  to  the  family  of 
Mrs.  Rogers,  where  they  treated  me  with  great  kindness 
and  care.  O  that  plenty  may  not  hurt,  nor  ease  destroy 
me !  Lord,  help  me,  in  all  things,  to  desire  nothing  but 
thee ! 

Dec.  23.  Richard  Owings  informed  me  that  the  work 
of  God  was  gaining  ground  in  Frederick  County.  I 
preached  at  John  Dearer's,  in  the  old  town,  and  had  a 
wild,  staring  congregation. 

Dec.  28.  Guyse's  Paraphrase  of  the  New  Testament 
has  lately  afforded  me  great  delight.  It  is  a  pity  that 
such  a  man  ever  imbibed  the  Calvinistic  principles. 

A  New  Year 

Jan.  4,  1774.  My  body  has  been  indisposed  for  some 
days  past,  but  the  grace  of  God  has  rested  on  my  soul, 
and  I  have  been  enabled  to  preach  several  times  with 
freedom,  power,  and  great  boldness,  the  Lord  being  my 
helper.  Feeling  rather  better  to-day,  T  ventured  to  ride 
in  a  chaise  ten  miles  to  Mr.  Lupton's,  where  we  had  some 
agreeable.  Christian  conversation.  Returned  the  next 
day,  and  continued  ill,  sometimes  being  confined  to  my 
bed  for  a  day  together ;  yet  I  preached  at  other  times  to 


1774]  QUARTERLY  MEETING  57 

large  congregations.  It  frequently  appears  as  if  almost 
the  whole  town  would  come  together  to  hear  the  word  of 
the  Lord.  Among  others,  Mr.  Swope,  a  preacher  in  high 
Dutch,  came  to  see  me.  He  appeared  to  be  a  good  man, 
and  I  opened  to  him  the  plan  of  Methodism. 

Jan.  14.  Though  this  was  the  day  for  the  return  of  my 
disorder,  yet  I  felt  much  better.  A  blister  under  my  ear 
has  removed  the  pain  in  my  head.  A  great  sense  of  God 
rested  on  my  heart,  while  meeting  the  class  to-day. 

Jan.  15.  My  body  is  still  weak,  though  on  the  re- 
covery. Lord,  if  thou  shouldst  be  pleased  to  raise  me  up, 
let  it  be  to  do  more  good !  I  desire  to  live  only  for  this ! 
Lord,  I  am  thin^,  to  serve  thee  forever,  with  soul  and 
body,  time  and  talents !  O  my  God !  now  all  I  am  and 
have  is  devoted  to  thee !  Mercifully  assist  me,  by  thy 
grace,  to  persevere  in  all  welldoing.    Amen. 

Disturbance  at  a  Meeting 

Jan.  16.  While  preaching  in  town  this  evening  two 
young  men,  in  the  midst  of  the  sermon,  came  in  and  broke 
the  order  of  the  meeting. 

Jan.  19.  A  young  man  who  disturbed  the  congregation 
on  the  evening  of  last  Lord's  Day  has  seen  it  expedient  to 
excuse  his  conduct,  as  almost  the  whole  town  thought  him 
culpable.  Thus  doth  God  bring  good  out  of  evil,  and 
make  the  fierceness  of  man  turn  to  his  praise. 

Jan.  2T,.  Great  numbers  of  people  attended  while  I 
preached  on  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son. 

Jx\N.  25.  This  was  a  day  of  sweet  peace.  I  held  a 
private  conference  with  William  Moore  and  Captain 
Stone,  who  both  appeared  to  be  convinced  of  sin. 

Jan.  31.  Set  out  for  our  quarterly  meeting,  and  met 
the  preachers  at  Brother  Owings's.  They  all  appeared  to 
have  their  hearts  fixed  on  promoting  the  work  of  God  for 
the  ensuing  quarter;  and  we  consulted  together  with 
^reat  freedom  and  love.    On  the  first  day  I  inquired  into 


58  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

the  moral  character  of  the  local  preachers,  appointed 
them  their  work,  and  gave  them  written  licenses  to  offi- 
ciate. The  preachers  who  spoke  at  this  meeting  mani- 
fested great  earnestness  and  zeal  for  the  salvation  of 
souls ;  and  many  of  the  people  were  much  affected ;  all 
was  harmony  and  love.  For  the  next  quarter  we  had  our 
stations  as  follows :  P.  Ebert,  E.  Dromgoole,  and  Rich- 
ard Owings,  in  Frederick  Circuit ;  Brother  Yearbry  and 
Brother  Rollins,  in  Kent  Circuit;  Flenry  Watters  and 
Brother  Webster  in  Baltimore  Circuit ;  and  myself  in  Bal- 
timore town.  We  appointed  our  next  quarterly  meeting 
to  be  held  in  Baltimore  on  the  first  of  May  next.  Much 
fatigued  in  my  feeble  frame  by  various  exercises,  I  re- 
turned to  town,  and  visited  Mrs.  Moore,  who  was  afflicted 
in  body  and  distressed  in  mind. 

In  Peril  from  Fire 

Feb.  3.  Last  night,  while  we  were  all  below  stairs,  my 
bed  took  fire  by  some  unknown  means,  though  it  stood 
three  yards  from  the  fireplace.  We  happily  came  up  in 
due  time,  and  finding  the  room  full  of  smoke  we  discov- 
ered the  fire  and  extinguished  it.  Surely  there  was  a  kind 
providence  in  this !  This  day  I  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Otterbein,  a  German  minister,  relative  to  his  settling  in 
Baltimore  town.  Though  the  weather  was  very  disagree- 
able, yet  many  attended  at  night  to  hear  the  word.  God  is 
still  my  chief  object,  and  my  desire  is  to  glorify  and  serve 
him.  On  Saturday  Mr.  Swope  came  to  consult  me  in  re- 
spect to  Mr.  Otterbein's  coming  to  this  town.  We  agreed 
to  promote  his  settling  here ;  and  laid  a  plan  nearly  similar 
to  ours — to  wit,  that  gifted  persons  among  them,  who 
may,  at  any  time,  be  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  speak 
for  God,  should  be  encouraged ;  and  if  the  Synod  would 
not  agree,  they  were  still  to  persevere  in  this  line  of  duty. 

Feb.  7.  According  to  appointment,  I  went  to  Elk 
RidgC;  and  was  kindly  received  by  Mr.  L  Worthington. 


1774]        SUBSCRIPTION   FOR  A  CHURCH  59 

I  spent  part  of  three  days  laboring  for  the  salvation  of 
souls.  In  this  place  there  are  many  wealthy  and  wicked 
people,  destitute  of  all  true  religion. 

Read  Wesley's  **  Plain  Account  ** 

Returned  to  Baltimore  on  Wednesday,  and  the  next  day 
I  advised  the  wi^ow  Tribulet  to  seek  redress  of  a  magis- 
trate for  the  late  riot  made  in  her  house.  But  they  ad- 
vised her  to  put  up  with  it  for  this  time.  As  Mr.  Moore 
offered  the  use  of  his  house,  I  met  the  people  there  on  Fri- 
day night,  and  found  the  disturbance  had  not  diminished 
the  congregation,  but  increased  it.  Thus  Satan  prepares 
a  weapon  to  wound  his  own  cause.  After  reading  to  the 
congregation  part  of  the  Plain  Account  of  the  People 
Called  Methodists  (by  John  Wesley)  I  told  them  we  were 
a  united  body,  and  as  such  would  defend  our  own  cause ; 
that  I  had  qualified  myself  according  to  the  act  of  tolera- 
tion, and  had  a  legal  right  to  preach  the  gospel. 

Feb.  II.  Endeavored  to  raise  something  by  subscrip- 
tion toward  building  a  Methodist  church  ;  but  as  the  whole 
lieth  on  my  shoulders  I  find  the  burden  rather  too  heavy. 
However,  God  is  my  support,  and  my  heart  is  with  him. 

Feb.  18.  While  preaching  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Moore 
his  father  and  mother  were  moved  by  the  Word  of  God. 
But  after  lying  down  at  night  to  rest,  my  heart  was  op- 
pressed with  inexpressible  feelings  for  the  inhabitants  of 
Baltimore.  I  am  pressed  under  them  as  a  cart  full  of 
sheaves,  and  would  rather  be  employed  in  the  most  servile 
offices  than  preach  to  them,  if  it  were  not  from  a  sense  of 
duty  to  God  and  a  desire  to  be  instrumental  in  saving 
their  souls.  If  honor  and  worldly  gain  were  held  out  as 
motives  to  this  painful  work,  they  would  to  me  appear 
lighter  than  vanity. 

Feb.  21.  Rode  to  Middle  River,  and  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  seeing  our  new  house  raised  and  covered  in.  An 
opposer  of  the  truth  has  been  lately  and  suddenly  sum- 


6o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

moned,  by  the  smallpox,  to  answer  for  his  conduct  at  the 
bar  of  Almighty  God.    What  a  warning ! 

Sin's  Champion  Smitten 

Mar.  I.  Several  w^ent  with  me  to  John  Watters's, 
where  we  found  a  large  company  of  people  collected,  who 
appeared  both  ignorant  and  proud.  Wlvle  attempting  to 
preach  to  them  from  these  words,  "May  we  know  what 
this  new  doctrine,  whereof  thou  speakest,  is?"  my  mind 
was  oppressed  above  measure,  so  that  both  my  heart  and 
my  mouth  were  almost  shut ;  and  after  I  had  done  my 
spirit  was  greatly  troubled.  O,  my  soul !  if  confined  to 
the  society  of  the  wicked,  what  couldst  thou  find  but 
vexation  and  grief?  But,  "where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
is,  there  is  liberty."  Having  frequently  sixteen  or  twenty 
miles  to  ride,  and  then  to  preach  before  dinner,  which  is 
often  as  late  as  four  o'clock,  it  shakes  my  constitution, 
and  is  painful  to  the  flesh.  But  I  cheerfully  submit  to 
these  things  for  the  sake  of  precious  souls.  What  did 
the  blessed  Jesus  suffer  for  me !  The  next  day  a  cham- 
pion in  sin,  a  man  who  had  been  a  famous  ringleader  in 
abuse  and  diabolical  sports,  was  deeply  wounded  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  while,  in  the  course  of  my  sermon,  I  was 
describing  the  horrible  torments  to  w^hich  those  would  be 
exposed  in  hell  who  had  been  instruments  in  the  hands  of 
Satan  to  train  up  others  in  sin  and  disobedience.  He 
afterward  invited  me  home,  and  we  had  some  serious  con- 
versation.   I  then  returned  to  Baltimore. 

Mar.  II.  On  my  way  to  Joseph  Presbury's  my  horse 
tired  and  fell  down  with  me  on  his  back,  but  I  was  not  in 
the  least  hurt.  Calling  at  Dr.  Henderson's,  I  met  with  a 
Quaker,  who  said  it  gave  him  pain  to  think  that  Joseph 
Pilmoor  should  go  home  for  ordination,  and  expressed 
his  disapprobation  of  our  going  to  the  church  for  the 
ordinances,  supposing  we  might  have  them  among  our- 
selves.    But  this  was  all  a  farce.     He  would  rather  that 


1774]  USE  OF  THE  SACRx\MENTS  6i 

we  should  drop  thcni  altogether.  And  in  the  course  of 
conversation  he  labored  to  overthrow  them  entirely.  Uut 
when  I  told  him  it  might  appear  to  me  a  duty  to  use  them, 
though  I  should  not  suppose  that  all  went  to  hell  who  did 
not  use  them,  he  asked  why  we  should  use  them  if  they 
are  not  essential  to  salvation.  What  weak  reasoning  is 
this !  Do  they  think  laying  them  aside  is  thus  essential, 
or  wearing  their  clothes  in  such  a  shape,  or  using,  as  they 
call  it,  the  plain  language?  Why,  then,  do  they  follow 
these  practices?  But  what  makes  them  so  contracted 
and  bitter  in  their  spirit  as  some  of  them  are?  There  is 
One  that  knoweth. 

Mar.  31.  My  illness  has  been  so  severe  that  I  have 
preached  but  little  for  some  days  past,  but  felt  myself 
rather  better  to-day.  As  Captain  Webb  had  appointed  to 
preach  at  Mr.  W.'s,  and  was  accidentally  prevented,  lest 
the  people  should  be  disappointed,  I  ventured  to  go  in  his 
stead.  But  after  preaching  was  taken  very  ill,  and  obliged 
to  go  immediately  to  bed. 

The  Loving  Care  of  Friends 

Apr.  3.  Though  still  very  ill,  I  attempted  to  preach. 
How  difficult  it  is  for  a  man  who  longs  for  the  salvation 
of  souls  to  be  silent !  Gratitude  urges  me  to  acknowledge 
the  providence  of  God  and  the  kindness  of  my  friends. 
The  people  who  have  had  the  chief  trouble  with  me  in  my 
late  afflictions  have  shown  remarkable  care,  tenderness, 
and  concern.  May  the  Lord  reward  their  work  and  labor 
of  love ! 

Apr.  6.  Aly  indisposition  has  been  so  great  this  week 
that  I  have  been  incapable  of  all  public  exercises.  Severe 
chills  and  burning  fevers  have  been  my  portion  both  day 
and  night.  O  that  I  may  wisely  and  diligently  improve 
these  seasons  of  affliction  ! 

Apr.  7.  Ventured  to  ride  in  a  carriage  twelve  miles 
to  town  ;  but  was  very  ill  most  of  the  night.    On  Saturday 


62  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

Captain  Webb  intended  to  have  sailed  in  the  packet,  but 
when  he  saw  the  entertainment  he  was  to  have  he  returned 
to  abide  with  us  for  a  short  season. 

Apr.  II.  I  was  somewhat  better.  But  I  find  myself 
assaulted  by  Satan  as  well  in  sickness  as  in  health,  in 
weakness  as  in  strength.  Lord,  help  me  to  urge  my  way 
through  all,  and  fill  nie  with  humble,  holy  love,  that  I 
may  be  faithful  until  death,  and  lay  hold  on  eternal  life. 

Apr.  17.  A  great  number  attended  at  the  Point,  while 
I  enforced  these  awakening  words,  "O  earth,  earth,  earth, 
hear  the  word  of  the  Lord !"  After  meeting  the  class  of 
young  men,  I  returned  and  spoke  in  town  from  Prov. 
24.  30.  Was  much  fatigued,  but  desire  to  be  thankful  to 
God  that  I  am  gathering  some  strength  for  duty.  We 
have  reason  to  think  the  spirits  of  hartshorn  have  been 
serviceable  in  my  disorder. 

Apr.  18.  Thi*  day  the  foundation  of  our  house  in  Bal- 
timore was  laid.  Who  could  have  expected  that  two  men, 
once  among  the  chief  of  sinners,  would  ever  have  thus 
engaged  in  so  great  an  undertaking  for  the  cause  of  the 
blessed  Jesus?  This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  mar- 
velous in  our  eyes.  He  hath  touched  and  changed  their 
hearts.  He  hath  moved  them  to  this  acceptable  undertak- 
ing ;  and  he  will  surely  complete  it,  and  raise  up  a  people 
to  serve  him  in  this  place. 

Apr.  2^.  Though  weak  in  body,  I  have  been  able  for 
a  few  days  past  to  go  through  my  public  exercises,  and 
was  both  instructed  and  delighted  to-day  in  reading  the 
Revelation  with  its  comment.  There  we  see  the  rise  and 
spread  of  the  Christian  religion  through  the  extensive 
and  idolatrous  empire  of  the  Romans,  the  wars  of  the 
Saracens,  the  g"radual  rise  and  artful  progress  of  Popery, 
What  an  amazing  prophetic  history  is  this,  of  all  people 
and  nations,  in  epitome !  How  expressive  are  the  dififer- 
ently  colored  horses,  and  surprising  representations  seen 
by  Saint  John !     In  this  book,  extraordinary  events  are 


17  74]  GODLINESS  IS  PROFITABLE  63 

foretold,  as  well  as  the  proper  rule  of  our  faith  and  i)rac- 
tice  revealed.  If  this  deep  book  were  fully  understood, 
need  we  go  any  farther  after  knowledge  ? 

A  Miracle  of  Grace 

Apr.  29.  What  a  miracle  of  grace  am  I !  How  un- 
worthy, and  yet  how  abundantly  blessed  !  In  the  midst 
of  all  temptations,  both  from  without  and  from  within, 
my  heart  trusteth  in  the  Lord.  I  was  greatly  delighted 
to-dav  in  reading  Dr.  Guyse  on  the  Reign  of  Christ,  which 
on  earth  will  be  spiritual,  and  in  glory  personal  and  eter- 
nal. O,  the  beauties  and  joys  of  which  I  have  some  pros- 
])ect  in  that  celestial  world !  It  seems  rather  strange  that, 
till  lately,  I  could  discover  no  beauties  in  the  Revelation 
of  Saint  John.  But  now  I  think  it  is  the  grand  key  of  all 
mysteries,  whether  pure  or  impure,  opening  to  view  all 
the  revolutions,  persecutions,  and  errors  of  the  church 
from  that  time  till  the  end  of  the  world.  And  then  it 
favors  us  wdth  a  glimpse  of  what  shall  remain  forever. 
In  preaching  to-night  from  these  words,  "Bodily  exercise 
profiteth  little,  but  godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things" 
(i  Tim.  4.  8),  I  took  occasion  to  show:  i.  That  bodily 
exercise,  or  what  is  called  religious  actions,  cannot  change 
a  sinful  heart  or  purchase  love  :  2.  Wherein  godliness  con- 
sisteth,  namely,  in  repentance,  faith,  love  to  God  and  man, 
meekness,  resignation,  chastity,  and  the  pure,  spiritual 
worship  of  God ;  3.  Wherein  this  is  profitable ;  namely,  in 
all  states,  in  all  commerce,  in  the  felicity  of  the  possessor, 
in  the  general  benefit  of  others,  and  finally  in  eternal 
glory.  My  mind  has  been  grieved  by  some  who  have 
spoken  evil  of  ministers.  But  I  must  be  sure  to  take  care 
of  my  own  soul ;  that  is  more  to  me  than  all  the  world, 
and  all  the  men  in  it.  And,  blessed  be  God !  he  fills  me 
with  peace  and  purity.  Lord,  grant  that  this  may  be  my 
portion,  increasing  forever! 

May  3.    Our  quarterly  meeting  began.    I  preached  in 


64  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

the  morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  we  settled  our  temporal 
business,  with  great  order  and  much  love.  When  inquiry 
was  made  relative  to  the  conduct  of  the  preachers,  there 
were  some  complaints  of  a  few,  who  had  been  remiss  in 
meeting  the  societies  and  catechising  the  children.  The 
next  day  several  of  us  spoke  in  public,  and  then  we  parted 
in  peace.  Had  a  friendly  intercourse  with  Mr.  Otterbein 
and  Mr.  Swope,  the  German  ministers,  respecting  the 
plan  of  church  discipline  on  which  they  intended  to  pro- 
ceed. They  agreed  to  imitate  our  methods  as  nearly  as 
possible. 

May  8.  Mr.  Watters  arrived  to-day  from  Virginia. 
He  gave  us  a  circumstantial  account  of  the  work  of  God 
in  those  parts.  One  house  of  worship  is  built,  and  another 
in  contemplation ;  two  or  three  more  preachers  are  gone 
out  upon  the  itinerant  plan ;  and  in  some  parts  the  con- 
gregations consist  of  two  or  three  thousand  people.  But 
some  evil-minded  persons  have  opposed  the  act  of  tolera- 
tion, and  threatened  to  imprison  him.  May  the  Lord  turn 
their  hearts,  and  make  them  partakers  of  his  great 
and  eternal  salvation ! 

Conversation  with  Otterbein 

May  13.  I  packed  up  my  clothes  and  books  to  be  ready 
for  my  departure,  and  had  an  agreeable  conversation  with 
Mr.  Otterbein.  The  next  day  some  of  my  friends  were  so 
unguarded  and  imprudent  as  to  commend  me  to  my  face. 
Satan,  ready  for  every  advantage,  seized  the  opportunity 
and  assaulted  me  with  self-pleasing,  self-exalting  ideas. 
But  the  Lord  enabled  me  to  discover  the  danger,  and  the 
snare  was  broken. 

May  16.  When  the  time  of  parting  came,  I  felt  some 
unwillingness  to  leave  my  kind  and  valuable  friends. 

May  18.  Rode  to  Susquehanna,  and  many  of  the  lead- 
ing men  were  present,  with  a  large  congregation. 

May  19.    I  am  happy  in  God  after  all  my  labors.    But 


17  74]  SUPERFLUITY  OF  DRESS  65 

wlien  among  my  friends  ni}-  mind  incliiics  to  a  degree  of 
cheerfulness  bordering  on  levity.  O  for  more  watchfid- 
ness ! — a  more^constant,  striking  sense  of  an  onniipresent 
God !  Preached  to-day  in  the  market  house  at  Charles- 
town.  The  congregation  was  somewhat  large,  and  many 
of  them  very  attentive. 

May  23.  After  preaching  yesterday  at  Newport  and 
Red  Clay  Creek  I  rode  to-day  to  Chester,  and,  though 
weary,  spoke  from  Gal.  6.  14.  Here  my  old  friends,  Mr. 
Mann  and  Mr.  Sause,  from  New  York,  met  me,  and  the 
next  day  we  rode  to  Philadelphia. 

Second  Annual  Conference 

May  25.  Our  Conference  began.  The  overbearing 
spirit  of  a  certain  person  had  excited  my  fears.  My  judg- 
ment was  stubbornly  opposed  for  a  while,  and  at  last  sub- 
mitted to.  But  it  is  my  duty  to  bear  all  things  with  a 
meek  and  patient  spirit.  Our  Conference  was  attended 
with  great  power,  and,  all  things  considered,  with  great 
harmony.  We  agreed  to  send  Air.  Wright  to  England, 
and  all  acquiesced  in  the  future  stations  of  the  preachers. 
My  lot  was  to  go  to  New  York.  My  body  and  mind  have 
been  much  fatigued  during  the  time  of  this  Conference, 
and  if  I  were  not  deeply  conscious  of  the  truth  and  good- 
ness of  the  cause  in  which  I  am  engaged  I  should  by  no 
means  stay  here.  Our  Conference  ended  on  Friday  with 
a  comfortable  intercession. 

May  29.  This  was  a  day  of  peace,  and  the  Lord 
favored  me  with  faith  and  energy  while  preaching  to  the 
people.  I  visited  Mr.  Wright,  who  is  going  to  England, 
but  found  he  had  no  taste  for  spiritual  subjects.  Lord, 
keep  me  from  all  superfluity  of  dress,  and  from  preaching 
empty  stuff  to  please  the  ear,  instead  of  changing  the 
heart !    Thus  has  he  fulfilled  as  a  hireling  his  day. 

May  30.  My  friends  and  I  set  off  in  the  stage  for  New 
York,  where  we  arrived  on  Tuesday  evening  about  eight 


66  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

o'clock.  \Ye  had  some  trifling  company  on  the  way,  who 
talked  much  but  to  Jittle  purpose.  My  old  friends  in  New 
York  were  glad  to  see  me.  But  J  still  fear  there  is  a  root 
of  prejudice  remaining  in  the  hearts  of  a  iev'j.  Captain 
Webb  preached  a  good  sermon  in  the  evening. 

Triwmph  over  Fatigue 

June  i.  Considering  my  bodily  weakness,  and  the 
great  fatigue  through  which  I  have  gone,  it  seems  won- 
derful that  my  frame  should  support  it,  and  be  still  so 
capable  of  duty.  My  mind  is  also  kept  in  peace.  My 
heart  was  much  drawn  out  both  toward  God  and  the 
people,  while  preaching  this  evening  from  I  Sam.  7.  12. 
But  too  much  of  the  old  spirit  is  still  discoverable  in  my 
few  prejudiced  friends. 

June  2.  In  the  public  exercise  of  the  evening  my  heart 
was  warmed  with  afTection  foe  the  people.  And  except 
a  very  small  number  of  dissatisfied,  restless  spirits,  the 
hearts  of  the  people  are  generously  opened  toward  me. 

June  5.  Attended  the  old  church,  as  usual,  but  clearly 
saw  where  the  gospel  ministry  was.  The  Spirit  of  grace 
mercifully  assisted  me  in  the  public  duties  of  this  day. 

June  12.  Both  my  body  and  mind  are  weak.  As  Mr. 
Rankin  was  thought  by  many  to  be  a  great  preacher,  I 
went  in  the  afternoon  to  hear  him.  He  was  very  stiff 
and  studied  in  his  composition,  and  dwelt  much  on  their 
favorite  doctrine  of  imputed  righteousness.  He  appeared 
to  have  very  little  liberty,  except  in  a  short  application. 
With  great  enlargement  of  heart  I  spoke  in  the  evening 
from  these  words:  "If  they  hear  not  Moses  and  the 
prophets,  neither  will  they  be  persuaded,  though  one  rose 
from  the  dead."  In  meeting  the  society  at  night  I  spoke 
plainly  of  some  who  neglected  their  bands  and  classes, 
and  informed  them  that  we  took  people  into  our  societies 
that  we  might  help  them  to  become  entire  Christians,  and 
if  they  willfully  neglected  those  meetings  they  thereby 


1774] 


THOMAS  RANKIN 


67 


withdrew  themselves  from  our  care  and  assistance.  The 
next  day  many  people  attended  the  preaching  at  the 
Meadows,     It  was  a  blessed  season. 


THOMAS    RANKIN. 


June  23.  After  preaching-  as  often  as  I  could  to  many 
people  who  attended  at  New  Rochelle  I  set  off  for  New 
York,  and  was  met  at  Kingsbridge  by  Mr.  Sause  and  Mr. 
Jarvis.  But  on  my  arrival  in  the  city  I  found  myself  very 
sick,  and  had  a  painful,  restless  night. 


68  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

June  24.  Found  myself  better,  and  was  much  re- 
freshed by  letters  from  Maryland.  But  one  of  these  let- 
ters informed  me  that  Mr.  Strawbridge  was  very  offi- 
cious in  administering  the  ordinances.  What  strange 
infatuation  attends  that  man !  Why  will  he  run  before 
Providence  ?    He  ought  not  to  do  so. 

Strawbridge  was  not  willing  to  submit  to  the  demands  made 
upon  him.  He  was  willing  to  preach,  and  willing  to  suffer, 
and  willing  to  die;  but  he  was  not  willing  to  refuse  the  ordi- 
nances to  people  who  otherwise  could  not  have  them  because 
these  good  churchmen  said  so. 

June  27.  Richard  Sause,  who  accompanied  me  a  few 
miles  into  the  country  to-day,  was  very  near  being 
drowned.  He  went  into  a  stream  of  water  to  wash  his 
horse  and  chaise,  but  accidentally  got  out  of  the  horse's 
depth,  and  they  must  all  have  been  tuiavoidably  lost  had 
not  two  men  swam  in  and  dragged  them  to  the  shore. 
Thus  the  Lord  preserveth  both  man  and  beast. 

Day  Spent  in  Reading 

June  28.  Many  of  my  good  friends  kindly  visited  me 
to-day,  and  in  the  afternoon  I  took  more  medicine.  My 
heart  is  fixed  on  God,  as  the  best  of  objects,  but  pants  for 
more  vigor,  and  a  permanent,  solemn  sense  of  God.  Rose 
the  next  morning  at  five,  though  very  weak,  and  spent  a 
great  part  of  the  day  in  reading  and  writing. 

July  5.  In  reading  the  Life  of  Calvin  it  appeared  that 
many  in  his  day  had  opposed  the  doctrine  of  predestina- 
tion, and  all  who  opposed  it  were  spoken  of  by  him  and 
his  followers  as  bad  men.  My  fever  returned  this  even- 
ing, and  it  was  a  painful,  restless  night.  Found  very 
great  lassitude  of  body  the  next  day  also ;  but  my  soul 
hungered  and  thirsted  for  more  of  God.  In  reading 
Clark's  Life  of  Origen  I  felt  a  strong  desire  to  imitate 
that  great  and  good  man,  as  far  as  he  went  right. 

July  10.     How  v/onderfully  is  the  language  and  be- 


1774]  ILL  TEN  MONTHS  69 

havior  of  Mr.  Lupton  changed  toward  me  !  Before,  I  was 
everything  that  was  bad,  but  now  all  is  very  good.  This 
is  a  mistake :  my  doctrine  and  preaching  are  the  same, 
and  so  is  my  manner,  but  such  is  the  deceitfulness  of  the 
man.  His  favorite,  Mr.  Wright,  is  now  gone.  Had  I 
preached  like  an  archangel  it  would  have  been  to  no  pur- 
l^ose,  while  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  oppose  him. 

July  14.  I  have  now  been  sick  near  ten  months,  and 
many  days  closely  confined ;  yet  I  have  preached  about 
three  hundred  times,  and  rode  near  two  thousand  miles 
in  that  time ;  though  very  frequently  in  a  high  fever. 
Here  is  no  ease,  worldly  profit,  or  honor.  What,  then, 
but  the  desire  of  pleasing  God  and  saving  souls  could 
stimulate  to  such  laborious  and  painful  duties? 

July  16.  My  heart  was  much  taken  up  with  God. 
Letters  from  my  dear  friends,  Mr.  Fidler  and  Mr. 
Rankin,  gave  me  great  satisfaction.  In  meeting  the 
band  society  I  showed  them  the  possibility  of  using  all 
the  means,  and,  without  sincerity  and  spirituality,  they 
might  still  be  destitute  of  true  religion. 

July  18.  A  poor,  unhappy  young  w^oman,  who  had 
abandoned  herself  to  the  devil  and  wicked  men,  being  at 
the  point  of  death,  and  expecting  to  go  shortly  and  render 
an  account  of  herself  to  God,  sent  for  me  to  visit  her. 
I  felt  some  reluctance,  but,  considering  the  danger  her 
soul  was  in,  thought  it  my  duty  to  go.  She  was  very 
attentive  while  I  spoke  plainly  to  her,  and  made  prayer 
to  God  in  her  behalf.  Strange  infatuation  [  that  men  will 
not  seriously  think  of  preparing  for  death  till  it  comes 
upon  them !  If  we  were  sure  of  dying  in  a  few  hours, 
most  men  would  think  it  their  duty  to  labor  for  a  prepa- 
ration ;  but  wdien  no  man  is  sure  of  living  a  few  hours, 
very  few  think  seriously  about  it.  So  does  the  god  of  this 
world  wickedly  blind  the  minds  of  mankind ! 

July  24.  Ended  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son.  Does 
it  not  appear  from  this  parable  that  some,  who,  com- 


70  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

paratively  speaking,  have  all  their  lifetime  endeavored  to 
please  God,  and  are  entitled  to  all  his  purchased,  com- 
municative blessings,  are  nevertheless  not  favored  with 
such  rapturous  sensations  of  divine  joy  as  some  others? 
I  remember,  w^hen  I  was  a  small  boy  and  went  to  school, 
I  had  serious  thoughts,  and  a  particular  sense  of  the  being 
of  a  God,  and  greatly  feared  both  an  oath  and  a  lie.  At 
twelve  years  of  age  the  Spirit  of  God  strove  frequently 
and  powerfully  with  me,  but,  being  deprived  of  proper 
means  and  exposed  to  bad  company,  no  effectual  im- 
pressions were  left  on  my  mind.  And,  though  fond  of 
what  some  call  innocent  diversions,  I  abhorred  fighting 
and  quarreling;  when  anything  of  this  sort  happened  I 
always  went  home  displeased.  But  I  have  been  much 
grieved  to  think  that  so  many  Sabbaths  were  idly  spent 
which  might  have  been  better  improved.  However, 
wicked  as  my  companions  were,  and  fond  as  I  was  of  play, 
I  never  imbibed  their  vices.  When  between  thirteen  and 
fourteen  years  of  age  the  Lord  graciously  visited  my 
soul  again.  I  then  found  myself  more  inclined  to  obey, 
and  carefully  attended  preaching  in  West  Bromwick ;  so 
that  I  heard  Stillingfleet,  Bagnel,  Ryland.  Anderson, 
IVIansfield,  and  Talbot,  men  who  preached  the  truth.  I 
then  began  to  watch  over  my  inward  and  outward  con- 
duct, and  having  a  desire  to  hear  the  Methodists,  I  went 
to  Wednesbury.  and  heard  Mr.  Fletcher  and  ]\Ir.  Ligham, 
but  did  not  understand  them,  though  one  of  their  subjects 
is  fresh  in  my  memory  to  this  day.  This  was  the  first  of 
my  hearing  the  Methodists.  After  that  another  person 
went  with  me  to  hear  them  again ;  the  text  was,  "The 
time  will  come  when  they  will  not  endure  sound  doc- 
trine." My  companion  was  cut  to  the  heart,  but  I  was 
unmoved.  The  next  year  Mr.  Mather  came  into  those 
parts.  I  was  then  about  fifteen ;  and,  young  as  I  was,  the 
Word  of  God  soon  made  deep  impressions  on  my  heart, 
which  brought  me  to  Jesus  Christ,  who  graciously  jus- 


1774]  GRACE  BEYOND  MEASURE  71 

tificd  my  guilty  soul  through  faith  in  his  precious  blood, 
and  soon  showed  me  the  excellency  and  necessity  of  holi- 
ness. About  sixteen  I  experienced  a  marvelous  display 
of  the  grace  of  God,  which  some  might  think  was  full  of 
sanctification,  and  was  indeed  very  happy,  though  in  an 
ungodly  family.  At  about  seventeen  I  began  to  hold  some 
public  meetings,  and  between  seventeen  and  eighteen  be- 
gan to  exhort  and  preach.  When  about  twenty-one  I 
went  through  Staffordshire  and  Gloucestershire,  in  the 
place  of  a  traveling  preacher;  and  the  next  year  through 
Bedfordshire,  Sussex,  etc.  In  1769  I  was  appointed  as- 
sistant in  Northamptonshire,  and  the  next  year  traveled 
in  Wiltshire.  September  3,  1771,  I  embarked  for  Amer- 
ica, and  for  my  own  private  satisfaction  began  to  keep  an 
imperfect  journal. 

Throughout  his  journal  Asbury  introduces  autobiographical 
statements,  and  makes  frequent  references  to  his  journal  and 
the  publication  of  it.  When  under  criticism  or  accusation  he 
almost  invariably  finds  comfort  in  the  fact  that  his  journal 
will  show  the  purity  of  his  motives. 

Aug.  I.  Some  of  my  good  friends  accompanied  me  as 
far  as  Kingsbridge,  on  my  way  to  New  Rochelle.  I 
visited  my  little  flock  with  some  satisfaction.  Here  are 
some  of  the  offspring  of  the  French  Protestants,  who,- on 
account  of  their  religion,  fled  from  Rochelle  in  France ; 
and  God  has  mercifully  remembered  them  unto  the  third 
and  fourth  generation. 

Tares  among  the  Wheat 
Aug.  10.  My  frame  is  much  afilicted.  But  it  is  worse 
to  be  ainicted  in  mind  by  the  misconduct  of  professors.  It 
grieves  me  much  to  see  the  deceit  of  a  few  persons  who 
have  crept  in  among  us.  It  is  a  thousand  pities  that  such, 
whose  hearts  are  not  right  with  God,  should  ever  thrust 
themselves  in  among  the  people  of  God.  They  are  too  apt 
to  make  all  they  are  connected  with  as  a  rope  of  sand.  I 
clearly  see  that  professors  who  are  rotten  at  heart  are  a 


72  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

hindrance  and  curse  to  the  rest.    May  the  Lord  thorough- 
ly purge  his  tloor ! 

Aug.  10.  I  was  very  low,  but  met  my  class,  and 
preached  in  the  evening.  There  appeared  to  be  but  little 
depth  of  religion  in  the  class.  It  is  a  great  folly  to  take 
people  into  society  before  they  know  what  they  are  about. 
What  some  people  take  for  religion  and  spiritual  life  is 
nothing  but  the  power  of  the  natural  passions.  It  is  true, 
real  religion  cannot  exist  without  peace,  and  love,  and 
joy.  But  then,  real  religion  is  real  holiness.  And  all  sen- 
sations without  a  strong  disposition  for  holiness  are  but 
delusive. 

Receives  an  Anonymous  Letter 

Aug.  12.  This  was  a  day  of  trouble  and  dejection  of 
mind.  But,  committing  my  cause  to  God  by  faith  and 
prayer,  I  have  a  hope  that  he  will  always  stand  by  and 
deliver  me.  My  soul  was  greatly  straitened  in  public 
speaking.  I  received  several  letters  to-day ;  some  of  which 
revived  my  spirits,  but  one  from  Mr.  Rankin  gave  me 
pain.  Satan  makes  use  of  all  his  cunning  and  tricks. 
But  the  Lord  will  rebuke  him.  My  duty  is  clear,  to  bear 
all  things  patiently,  and  silently  commit  my  cause  to  God. 
Even  in  this  city  there  are  some  restless  minds,  who  are 
not  much  disposed  to  spiritual  union.  Going  into  the 
pulpit  this  evening,  I  found  an  inflammatory  letter  with- 
out a  name.  My  trials  are  multiplied  and  weighty,  but, 
glory  to  God !  he  strengthens  and  comforts  me  by  an 
abundant  manifestation  of  his  love. 

Asbuiy  and  Rankin  did  not  get  on  well  together.      Rankin 
seems  to  have  been  arbitrary  and  disagreeably  irritating. 

Aug.  15.  I  felt  some  conviction  for  sleeping  too  long; 
and  my  mind  was  troubled  on  account  of  a  conversation 
which  had  passed  between  Mr.  Rankin,  Mr.  Sause,  and 
myself.  But  the  great  Searcher  of  hearts  knoweth  my 
intentions,  and  to  him  I  submit  all  future  events.     Mr, 


1774]  LETTER  FROM  RANKIN  73 

Lupton  waited  on  Mr.  Pcabody,  and  told  him  he  ap- 
peared to  be  more  taken  up  in  reading  Mr.  Berridge's 
Christian  World  Unmasked  than  the  Bible.  Mr.  Berridge 
kept  his  room,  in  a  very  gloomy  state  of  mind,  about  five 
years  ago,  and  now  he  is  come  forth  with  his  facetious 
pen  to  dictate  to  the  Christian  world.  But  Mr.  Fletcher, 
in  his  Fifth  Check,  has  fully  answered  all  his  witty  argu- 
ments. Mr.  Berridge  was  a  good  man,  no  doubt,  but 
unfortunately  drank  deep  into  the  principles  of  Anti- 
nomianism. 

Sept.  17.  My  affections  are  raised  from  earth  and  all 
its  objects.  My  treasure  is  above,  and  there  also  is  my 
heart.  In  meeting  the  bands  I  showed  them  the  impro- 
priety and  danger  of  keeping  their  thoughts  or  fears  of 
each  other  to  themselves ;  this  frustrates  the  design  of 
bands,  produces  coolness  and  jealousies  toward  each 
other,  and  is  undoubtedly  the  policy  of  Satan. 

Sept.  18.  Losing  some  of  my  ideas  in  preaching,  I 
was  ashamed  of  myself,  and  pained  to  see  the  people  wait- 
ing to  hear  what  the  blunderer  had  to  say.  May  these 
things  humble  me,  and  show  me  where  my  great  strength 
lieth !  In  meeting  the  society  I  urged  the  necessity  of 
more  private  devotion,  and  of  properly  digesting  what 
they  hear.    Set  ofif  the  next  morning  for  New  Rochelle. 

Rankin  Unhappy 

Sept.  23.  I  set  ofif  for  New  York,  and  met  some  of  my 
good  friends  at  Kingsbridge.  They  brought  me  a  letter 
from  Thomas  Rankin,  who  thought  himself  injured;  but 
I  am  determined  to  drop  all  disputes  as  far  as  possible. 
Mr.  Peabody  is  going  on  in  New  York  w-ith  his  Anti- 
nomianism  inimasked.  How  prone  is  man  to  do  what  is 
wrong !  And  what  watchfulness  and  diligence  are  neces- 
sary for  a  man  to  be  right  both  in  sentiment  and  practice ! 

Sept.  25.  According  to  the  particular  request  of  Sister 
G.,  I  preached  her  funeral  sermon,  from  Isa.  49.  10.    She 


74  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

had  been  brought  up  a  Calvinist,  but  when  she  found 
peace  with  God  she  renounced  all  her  Calvinistic  princi- 
ples, which  she  said  had  been  a  check  to  her  industry  in 
seeking  the  Lord.  Li  the  time  of  her  last  illness  she 
manifested  a  great  degree  of  patience,  and  expressed  a 
strong  desire  for  entire  purity  of  heart.  A  little  before 
her  death  she  was  filled  with  perfect  love,  and  seemed  to 
want  more  strength  and  language  to  praise  God.  How- 
ever, she  did  it  to  the  uttermost  of  her  power. 

An  Alarm  of  Fire 

Sept.  29.  William  Lupton  gave  me  an  account  of  the 
manner  of  Mr.  Rankin's  treating  him  because  he  would 
not  go  to  Schenectady.  But  my  mind  is  bent  on  loving 
God,  and  doing  his  will  in-  all  things.  At  two  o'clock  in 
the  night  we  were  all  alarmed  by  a  fire  which  burned 
down  a  house  in  Peck  Slip.  What  a  resemblance  of  the 
general  judgment !  But,  if  the  cry  of  fire  alarms  us,  how 
much  more  shall  we  be  alarmed  by  the  archangel's 
trumpet ! 

Oct.  2.  Though  I  have  lately  heard  several  preachers 
of  some  fame,  I  am  fully  of  the  opinion  that  there  is 
room  enough  for  us  to  preach  repentance,  faith,  and  all 
the  work  of  God  on  the  soul  of  man.  They  almost  leave 
this  field  entirely  our  own. 

Oct.  7.  Mr.  Peabody  had  appointed  to  preach  in  our 
house,  and  a  very  large  congregation  attended  on  the  oc- 
casion. He  spoke  on  the  chaff  and  wheat,  from  Matt. 
3.  12,  and  perhaps  felt  himself  under  some  obligation  to 
come  as  near  to  our  doctrine  as  his  principles  would  admit 
of,  and  thereby  gave  tolerable  satisfaction. 

Oct.  14.  Having  been  here  now  four  months,  preach- 
ing or  exhorting  every  day,  and  twice  on  the  Lord's  Day, 
besides  society  meetings,  it  seems  to  be  too  much  for  both 
the  people  and  the  preacher.  We  have  now  more  unity 
in  the  society  here  than  we  have  had  for  some  time  past. 


1774]  TEA  WITH  A  MORAVIAN  75 

But  we  want  more  of  the  life  and  power  of  religion 
among  us. 

Oct.  18.  I  drank  tea  this  afternoon  with  an  old  Mora- 
vian, who  belonged  to  their  fraternity  in  Fetter  Lane,  at 
the  time  when  Mr.  Wesley  was  so  intimate  with  them. 

Oct.  19.  Captain  Webb  informed  me  by  letter  the 
house  in  Baltimore  was  so  far  finished  that  he  had 
preached  in  it. 

Oct.  25.  This  morning  my  spirit  wrestled  with  prin- 
cipalities and  powers ;  but  in  the  duty  of  prayer  the  Lord 
delivered  me.  After  preaching  at  night  from  Matt.  24.  12 
a  man  from  Morristown  came  to  me  to  inquire  into  my 
principles,  and  told  me  the  Lord  was  bringing  souls  to 
himself  in  his  neighborhood,  and  that  more  than  one  hun- 
dred were  converted  there. 

Nov.  2.  My  friends  in  this  city  concluded  to  write 
to  Mr.  Rankin,  requesting  that  I  might  continue  some 
time  longer  in  New  York  and  the  country  adjacent,  sup- 
posing it  would  endanger  my  life  to  go  into  the  low  coun- 
tries. But  to  stay  or  go  I  submit  to  Providence.  As  my 
legs,  hands,  and  feet  were  swollen,  it  was  thought  proper 
to  consult  a  physician,  who  sent  me  a  certain  mixture  of 
bitters. 

Nov.  7.  My  body  was  weak,  and  my  mind  was  much 
tempted.  Lord,  support  and  comfort  me  under  every 
trial !  I  met  the  class  of  Mr.  Jarvis,  deceased ;  found 
much  love  among  them,  and  by  general  consent  appointed 
Richard  Sause  to  act  as  their  leader. 

Nov.  9.  My  soul  is  strengthened  with  might,  and  filled 
with  peace.  But  I  see  the  propriety  and  great  necessity 
of  living  every  moment  more  and  more  to  God.  We  are 
informed  from  Philadelphia  that  it  is  eight  weeks  since 
the  preachers  sailed  from  England,  though  they  are  not 
yet  arrived. 

Nov.  13.  Dr.  Eldred,  at  Saint  Paul's,  was  on  his  old  te- 
dious subject  of  the  Lord's  Supper.    He  cannot  be  at  any 


76  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1774 

great  loss  in  saying  the  same  thing  over  and  over  again  so 
frequently.  Many  people  attended  at  our  church  in  the 
morning,  and  in  the  evening  there  were  about  a  thousand 
who  seriously  listened,  while  I  preached  from  Psa.  i.  12. 

Nov.  14.  I  set  oft  for  New  Rochelle,  but  by  the  dis- 
agreeable gait  of  the  horse  was  exceedingly  wearied  on 
my  arrival ;  nevertheless,  I  gave  an  exhortation  to  some 
serious  people  who  v/ere  collected  there.  The  next  day 
my  mind  was  troubled  by  turning  on  political  subjects, 
which  are  out  of  my  province. 

Nov.  18.  Unguarded  and  trifling  conversation  has 
brought  on  a  degree  of  spiritual  deadness.  But,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  I  will  rouse  myself,  and  endeavor  to  be 
more  watchful  and  spiritual  in  all  my  ways,  and  in  all 
things  please  Him  whom  my  soul  loveth  far  above  every 
other  object. 

Nov.  28.  After  taking  my  leave  of  my  good  friends  in 
New  York  the  last  evening,  from  Phil.  i.  27,  Captain 
Webb  and  myself  set  off  this  morning  for  Amboy.  We 
met  with  a  person  who  came  a  passenger  with  us  from 
England  in  the  character  of  a  gentleman,  by  the  name  of 
Wilson,  but  now  he  calls  himself  Clarkson ;  and  since 
then  he  has  called  himself  Lavingston.  He  has  been  ap- 
prehended for  passing  a  counterfeit  bill,  for  which  he  was 
both  imprisoned  and  whipped.  When  he  saw  me,  he  knew 
me  and  I  knew  him  ;  but  he  was  in  such  perplexity  that 
he  could  eat  no  breakfast,  and  went  off  in  the  first  wagon 
he  could  meet  with. 

Dec.  2.  Mr.  Rankin, came  to  Burlington  to-day,  and 
desired  me  to  go  to  Philadelphia.  So,  after  preaching  in 
the  evening  from  Prov.  28.  13,  I  set  off  the  next  morning 
for  the  city ;  and  found  the  society  in  the  spirit  of  love. 

Dec.  6.  Visited  some  of  my  friends  in  the  city,  and 
wrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  Wesley,  which  I  read  to  Mr.  Rankin, 
that  he  might  see  I  intended  no  guile  or  secret  dealings. 
It  is  somewhat  grievous  that  he  should  prevent  my  going 


V 


1775]  A  NEW  YEAR  OPENS  77 

to  Baltimore,  after  being  acquainted  with  my  engage- 
ments, and  the  importunities  of  my  friends  there. 

Dec.  14.  Mr.  Rankin  was  sick,  and  Captain  Webb  was 
busy,  so  I  spent  my  time  in  study  and  devotion ;  and  en- 
Joyed  a  blessed  sense  of  the  divine  presence.  But  what 
need  can  there  be  for  two  preachers  here  to  preach  three 
times  a  week  to  about  sixty  people  ? 

Dec.  21.  I  began  to  read  Neal's  History  of  the  Pu- 
ritans. The  Lord  keeps  me  from  all  impure  desire,  and 
makes  me  to  abound  with  divine  peace.  In  prayer  meet- 
ing this  evening  all  present  were  greatly  blessed. 

Opinion  Concerning  Neal's  History 

Dec.  23.  Mr.  Neal,  in  his  history,  is  tolerably  impar- 
tial, though  he  seems  rather  inclined  to  favor  the  Noncon- 
formists. But  how  strange  that  the  reformation  should 
be  carried  on  in  such  a  reign  as  that  of  Henry  VIII,  and 
in  the  time  of  Edward  VI,  while  he  was  but  a  child !  The 
good  bishops,  no  doubt,  carried  the  matter  as  far  as  they 
could ;  but  it  was  not  in  their  power  to  disentangle  them- 
selves and  the  nation  from  all  the  superstition  of  Popery. 
But  Queen  Elizabeth  and  her  friends  bore  hard  for  the 
supremacy.  It  seems  the  dispute  began  at  Frankfort,  and 
Calvin  was  in  the  consultation. 

Jan.  2,  1775.  1  see  the  great  necessity  of  always  be- 
ginning to  glorify  God,  with  fresh  vigor  of  soul.  So 
prone  is  man  to  grow  languid  in  devout  exercises  that 
without  fresh  and  powerful  exertions  he  will  soon  sink 
into  dead  formality.  At  Mr.  Bell's,  where  we  dined  to- 
day, I  was  much  grieved  at  the  manner  of  Mr.  Rankin's 
conversation ;  but  let  it  be  a  caution  to  me  to  be  prudent 
and  watchful.  The  next  day  my  soul  was  greatly  alive  to 
God.  And  the  people  here  are  so  kind  to  me  that  it  fills 
me  with  astonishment  and  gratitude. 

Jan.  8.  The  Lord  was  pleased  to  bless  my  soul  with 
that  peace  which  passes  understanding.    A  letter  from  my 


78  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1775 

friend  William  Lynch  informed  me  that  three  of  my 
friends  were  coming  to  conduct  me,  if  possible,  to  Balti- 
more. But  it  is  a  doubt  with  me  if  I  shall,  with  consent, 
be  permitted  to  go. 

Jan.  12.    The  conduct  of  Mr. is  such  as  calls  for 

patience.  He  has  reported  that  I  was  the  cause  of  Abra- 
ham Whitworth's  becoming  a  preacher ;  whereas  when 
he  was  appointed  it  was  by  the  Conference.  And  the  time 
when  I  wanted  him  to  travel  was  a  year  before  his  ap- 
pointment, when  his  heart  was  right  with  God.  More- 
over, at  the  last  Conference  I  was  doubtful  of  him,  and 
so  expressed  myself  both  by  word  and  letter. 

Rankin  Still  Troablesbme 

Jan.  18.  From  this  time  till  Lord's  Day,  twenty-third, 
I  had  a  sore  throat,  and  two  persons  sat  up  with  me  every 
night.  Mr.  Rankin  keeps  driving  away  at  the  people, 
telling  them  how  bad  they  are,  with  the  wonders  which 
he  has  done  and  intends  to  do.  It  is  surprising  that  the 
people  are  not  out  of  patience  with  him.  If  they  did  not 
like  his  friends  better  than  him  we  should  soon  be  wel- 
come to  take  a  final  leave  of  them. 

Feb.  I.  From  the  twenty-third  of  January  my  affliction 
was  so  severe  that  I  was  not  able  to  write.  There  were 
several  small  ulcers  on  the  inside  of  my  throat,  and  the 
pain  of  the  gatherings  was  so  severe  that  for  two  weeks 
I  could  not  rest  of  nights.  My  friends  were  very  kind, 
and,  expecting  my  death,  they  afiPectionately  lamented 
over  me.  In  the  course  of  this  affliction  I  found  that  when 
my  spirit  was  broken,  and  brought  to  submit  with  cheer- 
fulness to  the  will  of  God,  then  the  disorder  abated,  and 
I  began  to  recover;  though  Satan  was  very  busy,  and, 
like  Job's  impious  wife,  suggested  to  my  mind  that  I 
should  curse  God  and  die ;  nevertheless,  through  grace,  I 
am  more  than  conqueror,  and  can  give  glory  to  God. 
The  gargle  which  I  used  first,  to  scatter,  if  possible,  the 


1775]  DUMB  SABBATHS  79 

innammation,  was  sage  tea,  honey,  vinegar,  and  mustard ; 
then  that  which  was  used  to  accelerate  the  gathering  was 
mallows  with  a  fig  cut  in  pieces ;  and  lastly,  to  strengthen 
the  part,  we  used  a  gargle  of  sage  tea,  alum,  rose  leaves, 
and  loaf  sugar.  Some  letters  came  from  Baltimore, 
earnestly  pressing  me  to  go.  And  Mr.  Rankin  was  so 
kind  as  to  visit  me,  when  all  was  sweetness  and  love. 

Feb.  4.  My  mind  was  filled  with  pure,  evangelical 
peace.  I  had  some  conversation  with  Captain  Webb,  an 
Israelite  indeed,  and  we  both  concluded  that  it  was  my 
duty  to  go  to  Baltimore.  And  I  feel  willing  to  go,  if  it  is 
even  to  die  there ;  but,  at  present,  am  not  permitted.  I 
was  confined  to  the  house  all  the  next  day ;  but  O,  how 
painful  are  these  dumb  Sabbaths  to  me! 

Fer.  10.  How  great  a  blessing  is  health!  though  of 
late  it  is  but  seldom  enjoA'cd  by  me.  But,  through  mercy, 
my  body  now  feels  like  being  restored,  and  I  am  afraid  of 
being  thereby  too  much  elated.  The  Lord  shows  me  the 
excellency  of  affliction,  and  enables  me  to  exercise  resig- 
nation in  all  conditions  of  life.  I  am  now  reading 
Mosheim's  Church  History ;  but  as  a  writer  he  is  too 
dry  and  speculative. 

Feb.  16.  My  mind  has  been  kept  in  great  peace ;  but  I 
am  somewhat  troubled  on  account  of  my  defects  in  use- 
fulness and  spirituality.  I  now  ventured  to  preach  from 
Psa.  126.  3:  "The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us; 
whereof  we  are  glad."  Richard  Sause  wrote  me  a  letter 
WMth  his  usual  kindness,  and  informed  me  that  Mr.  Demp- 
ster concurred  in  sentiment  relative  to  my  going  to  Balti- 
more. And  it  is  thought  by  many  that  there  will  be  an 
alteration  in  the  affairs  of  our  church  government. 

A  Macedonian  Cry 

Feb.  22.  I  received  a  letter  from  Miss  Gilbert  at 
Antigua,  in  which  she  informed  me  that  Mr.  Gilbert  was 
going  away ;  and  as  there  are  about  three  hundred  mem- 


8o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1775 

bcrs  in  society  she  entreats  me  to  go  and  labor  among 
them.  And  as  Mr.  Wesley  has  given  his  consent  I  feel 
inclined  to  go,  and  take  one  of  the  young  men  with  me. 
Jjut  there  is  one  obstacle  in  my  way — the  administration 
of  the  ordinances.  It  is  possible  to  get  the  ordination  of 
a  presbytery,  bnt  this  would  be  incompatible  with  Meth- 
odism, which  would  be  an  effectual  bar  in  my  way.  This 
day  Mr.  Rankin  set  off  for  New  York. 

Not  Ashamed  of  the  Gospel 

Feb.  23.  Mr.  Ruff  and  Mr.  Rodda  came  to  town.  I 
preached  in  the  evening  from  Rom.  i.  16,  "I  am  not 
ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,"  etc.,  and  showed,  i.  Of 
what  he  was  not  ashamed :  the  experience,  precepts,  and 
blessings  of  the  gospel ;  to  preach  it  in  its  purity  ;  to  suffer 
for  it ;  2.  Why  was  he  not  ashamed  of  this :  because  it  is 
the  power  of  God  to  salvation  from  the  guilt,  power,  and 
remains  of  sin ;  the  power  of  God  is  displayed  in  preach- 
ing the  simple  truths  of  the  gospel ;  3.  To  whom  it  became 
so :  to  them  that  believe,  first,  the  threatenings,  precepts, 
and  invitations ;  and  then  in  Jesus  Christ  for  this  present 
salvation. 

Feb.  28.  Stopping  at  Wilmington  to  preach  in  the 
evening,  a  barber  came  to  shave  me,  who  once  professed 
religion  and  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  Twenty-third  Regi- 
ment ;  but  now  he  is  a  deserter  both  from  God  and  man. 

Mar.  2.  We  called  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Joseph  Dallam, 
and  rested  about  an  hour.  Sister  Dallam  has  treated  me 
with  all  the  tenderness  of  a  mother  toward  a  son ;  and 
may  He  that  will  not  forget  a  cup  of  water  given  in  his 
name  abundantly  reward  her !  We  then  pursued  our 
journey  to  Baltimore,  and  my  heart  was  greatly  refreshed 
at  the  sight  of  my  spiritual  children  and  kind  friends 
there,  for  whose  welfare  my  soul  had  travailed  both  pres- 
ent and  absent.  The  next  day  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
oiir  new  house,  and  my  old  friends,  with  some  new  ones. 


1775]        DIVINE  ENERGY  MANIFESTED  8i 

Mar.  12.  jMiich  of  the  power  of  God  was  felt  at  the 
Point,  and  a  divine  energy  went  forth  among'  the  ])eople 
that  night  in  town,  while  I  discoursed  from  that  awaken- 
ing scripture,  Rom.  2.  8-10:  "But  unto  them  that  are  con- 
tentious, and  do  not  obey  the  truth,  but  obey  unrighteous- 
ness,   indignation   and   wrath,    tribulation    and   anguish, 


>«^»''"'"^^ 


.  .iiiiii^ 


THE   DALLAM    HOMESTEAD. 

A  Methodist  home  much  frequented  by  Asbury,  Strawbridge,  Coke,  and 

others  of  the  early  itinerants. 

upon  every  soul  of  man  that  doeth  evil,"  etc.  Christ  was 
[n-ecious  to  my  soul,  which  was  filled  with  divine  peace. 
I  saw  Brother  Strawbridge,  and  entered  into  a  free  con- 
versation with  him.  His  sentiments  relative  to  Mr. 
Rankin  correspond  with  mine.  But  all  these  matters  I  can 
silently  commit  to  God,  who  overrules  both  in  earth  and 
heaven. 

Mar.  14.    I  parted  with  Brother  Strawbridge,  and  felt 


82  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1775 

my  mind  depressed  by  temptations.  But  a  holy  flame 
glowed  in  my  heart,  while  discoursing  at  night  on  the 
"cloud  of  witnesses."  Believing  that  some  souls  were 
benefited,  I  commended  myself  to  the  divine  protection, 
and  slept  in  peace. 

Mar.  15.  Though  it  rained  this  evening,  yet  many  at- 
tended while  I  enforced  the  apostolic  injunction,  "Let  us 
lay  aside  every  weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily 
beset  us."  It  is  to  be  feared  that  many  Christians  do  not 
"lay  aside  every  weight"  which  impedes  their  spiritual 
progress.  If  they  did  they  would  not  halt,  and  go  on  as 
if  they  were  weary ;  but  be  enabled  to  run,  and  that  with 
patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  them. 

Reads  "Holy  Living" 

Mar.  22.  Spent  a  part  of  the  day  in  reading  Taylor's 
treatise  on  Holy  Living.  This  book  was  made  a  blessing 
to  me  about  seven  years  ago.  I  preached  in  the  evening 
from  I  Sam.  10.  6:  "The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  will  come 
upon  thee,  and  thou  shalt  prophesy  with  them,  and  shalt 
be  turned  into  another  man."  Here  I  took  occasion  to 
show:  I.  The  operations  of  the  Spirit  on  the  heart  of 
man — to  convince,  convict,  convert,  and  sanctify;  2.  The 
eflfects  of  these  operations :  ( i )  A  strong  inclination  to 
speak  for  God — this  is  the  duty  of  every  Christian;  (2)  A 
great  change — in  judgment,  desire,  spirit,  temper,  and 
practice. 

Mar.  28.  Mr.  Otterbein,  the  Dutch  minister,  accom- 
panied me  to  Joshua  Owing's,  where  we  had  a  blessed 
and  refreshing  season.  The  next  day,  at  town,  I  met 
with  Brother  Williams,  from  Virginia,  who  gave  me  a 
great  account  of  the  work  of  God  in  those  parts — five  or 
six  hundred  souls  justified  by  faith,  and  five  or  six  cir- 
cuits formed ;  so  that  we  have  now  fourteen  circuits  in 
America,  and  about  twenty-two  preachers  are  required  to 
supply  them.    Thus  we  see  how  Divine  Providence  makes 


1775]  SIX  MEN  SHOT  83 

way  for  the  Word  of  truth,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  attends 
it.  May  it  spread  in  power,  and  cover  these  lands! 
IJrother  Williams  is  a  very  singular  man,  but  honest  in 
his  intentions,  and  sincerely  engaged  for  the  prosperity 
of  the  work.  I  dined  with  Mr.  Otterbein,  the  minister 
mentioned  above,  and  spent  the  afternoon  with  him  and 
Mr.  Swope,  another  minister  of  the  same  profession. 
They  both  appear  to  be  sincerely  religious,  and  intend  to 
make  proposals  to  the  German  synod  this  year  to  lay  a 
plan  for  the  reformation  of  the  Dutch  congregations. 

Apr.  16.  The  Spirit  of  God  attended  our  endeavors 
both  in  town  and  Point.  My  heart  was  greatly  enlarged 
in  town  especially.  There  is  very  apparent  alteration  in 
this  place.  There  is  not  so  much  drunkenness  and  neglect 
of  the  ordinances  as  in  former  times ;  and  the  people  are 
much  more  inclined  to  attend  the  places  of  public  worship. 
So  that,  on  the  whole,  I  entertain  a  lively  hope  that  the 
Lord  will  yet  raise  up  for  himself  a  large  society  in  the 
town  of  Baltimore. 

Apr.  20.  Just  before  preaching  at  the  Point,  six  men 
w^ere  accidentally  shot  in  the  militia  exercise.  I  will  not 
venture  to  assert  the  captain  selected  them  for  exercise 
because  it  was  preaching  night.  However,  I  visited  one 
of  the  wounded,  and  prayed  with  him. 

Rumors  of  War 

Apr.  30.  I  preached  three  times,  and  the  cup  of  my 
blessing  was  full.  What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for 
all  his  benefits  ?  But  we  have  alarming  military  accounts 
from  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadelphia.  Surely  the 
Lord  will  overrule,  and  make  all  these  things  subservient 
to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  church. 

May  5.  At  the  appointed  time  for  preaching  we  had 
an  awful  storm  of  thunder  and  lightning,  which  killed 
three  horses.  However,  I  began  in  the  midst  of  it,  and 
spoke  with  liberty  of  spirit  and  great  confidence  in  God. 


84  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1775 

May  8.  Several  friends  set  out  in  company  with  me 
to  the  quarterly  meeting.  I  proceeded  the  next  morning 
to  meet  the  preachers  and  stewards.  At  ten  o'clock  we 
held  our  love  feast,  though  my  mind  was  under  some 
exercises,  so  that  I  spoke  but  little.  However,  at  four 
o'clock  I  preached  from  Isa.  41.  13,  with  great  enlarge- 
ment, and  to  a  large  concourse  of  people,  but  was  con- 
fined in  the  evening  to  the  company  of  men  who  were 
destitute  of  religion,  and  full  of  sin  and  politics.  My 
brethren  and  myself  were  glad  to  have  prayer  in  the 
morning  and  leave  them.  If  there  were  no  other  hell 
than  the  company  of  wicked  men  I  would  say,  From  such 
a  hell,  good  Lord,  deliver  me  ! 

May  22.  Having  preached  the  last  evening  with  some 
sweet  enlargement,  I  left  Philadelphia  this  morning,  and 
set  off  for  Norfolk.  Preached  at  night  to  a  few  people 
in  Chester,  and  was  conducted  the  next  morning  in  a 
friend's  chaise  to  Cecil  Courthouse,  where  I  embarked 
for  Norfolk. 

May  29.  With  a  thankful  heart  I  landed  at  Norfolk, 
after  having  been  much  tossed  about  by  contrary  winds 
in  the  bay.  My  accommodations  on  board  the  vessel  vO^ere 
also  very  indifferent,  so  that  it  was  a  disagreeable  and 
fatiguing  passage ;  but 

"  In  hope  of  that  immortal  crown 

I  now  the  cross  sustain 
And  gladly  wander  up  and  down. 

And  smile  at  toil  and  pain." 

Here  I  found  about  thirty  persons  in  society  after  their 
manner ;  but  they  had  no  regular  class  meetings.  How- 
ever, here  are  a  few  who  are  willing  to  observe  all  the 
rules  of  our  society.  Their  present  preaching  house  is 
an  old,  shattered  building,  which  has  formerly  been  a 
playhouse.  Surely  the  Lord  will  not  always  suffer  his 
honor  to  be  trampled  in  the  dust.  No ;  I  entertain  a 
hope  that  we  shall  have  a  house  and  a  people  in  this  town. 


1775]  PERILS  OF  PRIDE  85 

Junk  2.  The  Lord  is  pleased  to  show  me  the  dans^er 
which  a  preacher  is  in  of  heiny;  hfted  up  by  pride,  and 
falHng  into  the  condemnation  of  the  devil.  How  great 
is  the  danger  of  this !  A  considerable  degree  of  ballast 
is  highly  necessary  to  bear  frequent  and  sudden  puffs  of 
applause.  Lord,  fill  mc  with  genuine  humility,  that  the 
strongest  gusts  from  Satan  or  the  world  may  never 
move  me ! 

June  6.  I  have  lately  read  Mason  on  Self-Knowledge. 
This  book,  with  Frank's  on  the  Fear  of  Man,  and  Thomas 
a  Kempis,  are  most  excellent  books  for  a  Christian. 

New  Chtirch  Projected 

June  14.  T  have  continued  laboring,  with  different 
degrees  of  encouragement,  between  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth, but  have  not  met  with  that  success  which  my  soul 
longs  for.  Our  friends  set  a  subscription  on  foot  to-day 
for  building  a  house  of  worship,  and  have  raised  only 
al)out  £34.  Had  they  the  same  spirit  of  liberality  which 
they  have  in  Baltimore,  they  might  easily  accomplish  it. 

June  19.  Yesterday's  labor  of  preaching  three  times, 
etc.,  was  not  too  much  for  me.  And  this  day  my  soul  en- 
joyed delightful  communion  with  God.  Satan  assaults ; 
but  He  that  is  for  me  is  stronger  than  he  that  is 
against  me. 

"  Be  thou  my  strength,  be  thou  my  way; 
Protect  me  through  my  life's  short  day: 
In  all  my  acts  may  wisdom  guide, 
And  keep  me,  Saviour,  near  thy  side." 

July  3.  This  day  was  spent  in  writing  to  the  preach- 
ers, and  reading ;  and  I  was  much  contracted  in  my  ideas 
while  preaching  at  night.  Rut  all  my  soul  is  taken  up 
with  God ;  so  that  my  desire  is  unto  the  Lord,  and  the  re- 
membrance of  his  name. 

July  7.  The  last  three  days  I  have  labored  at  different 
places  in  the  country,  and  preached  this  evening  in  Ports- 


86  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1775 

mouth.  Though  I  feel  some  concern  for  the  souls  of  my 
fellow  men,  yet  not  enough.  If  we  could  but  see  by  faith 
the  danger  to  which  poor  unpardoned  sinners  are  con- 
tinually exposed,  if  we  could  but  have  a  realizing  view  of 
that  unquenchable  fire  into  which  they  must  be  plunged, 
dying  in  their  present  state,  how  could  we  rest  day  or 
night  from  using  all  possible  endeavors  to  prevent  their 
eternal  damnation? 

July  20.  I  have  now  been  a  few  days  doing  my  Mas- 
ter's business  in  the  country,  but  have  taken  cold,  and  am 
afflicted  with  a  severe  headache,  so  that  I  am  almost 
ready  to  lie  by.  However,  the  next  day  I  found  myself 
something  better,  and  came  to  Portsmouth,  met  the 
classes,  and  preached. 

A  Wild  Congregation 

July  23.  There  appeared  to  be  many  wild  people  in 
the  congregation,  though  the  grace  of  God  is  sufficient  to 
make  them  tame.  But  the  Almighty  dealeth  with  men  as 
with  a  rational  creature ;  therefore  we  may  go  on  in  our 
folly,  like  the  wild  ass's  colt,  till  we  drop  into  endless 
perdition,  unless  we  yield  to  the  sacred  touch  of  grace, 
and  become  workers  together  with  God. 

Aug.  4.  I  spent  the  preceding  part  of  this  week  preach- 
ing in  the  country  as  usual,  and  with  various  prospects 
of  success ;  but  came  back  to-day,  met  the  classes,  which 
appeared  to  be  much  more  engaged  for  heaven,  and 
preached  in  the  evening. 

Aug.  5.  My  spirit  was  a  little  dejected,  but  blessed 
with  the  peace  of  God.  I  had  some  conversation  with  Mr. 
Strawbridge,  who  said  the  people  should  be  kept  in  so- 
ciety, if  they  did  not  meet  in  class;  and  intimated  that, 
instead  of  preaching  the  gospel,  I  had  been  exposing  their 
faults.  So  this  is  part  of  what  I  have  gained  by  my 
labor.  But  I  let  him  know  that  our  rules  were  intended 
for  use,  and  not  to  be  disregarded. 


1775  ETERNAL  DISHONOR  87 

Aug.  7.  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Thomas  Rankin, 
in  which  he  informed  me  that  himself,  Air.  Rodda,  and 
Mr.  Dempster  had  consulted,  and  deliberately  concluded 
it  would  be  best  to  return  to  England.  But  I  can  by  no 
means  agree  to  leave  such  a  field  for- gathering  souls  to 
Christ  as  we  have  in  America.  It  would  be  an  eternal 
dishonor  to  the  Methodists  that  we  should  all  leave  three 
thousand  souls  who  desire  to  commit  themselves  to  our 
care.  Neither  is  it  the  part  of  a  good  shepherd  to  leave 
his  flock  in  time  of  danger ;  therefore  I  am  determined, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  not  to  leave  them,  let  the  conse- 
quence be  what  it  may.  Our  friends  here  appeared  to 
be  distressed  above  measure  at  the  thoughts  of  being  for- 
saken by  the  preachers.  So  I  wrote  my  sentiments  both 
to  Mr.  Thomas  Rankin  and  Mr.  George  Shadford. 

Aug.  14.  I  spoke  both  morning  and  evening,  but  we 
were  interrupted  by  the  clamor  of  arms  and  preparations 
of  war.  My  business  is  to  be  more  intensely  devoted  to 
God.    Then, 

"  The  rougher  the  way, 

The  shorter  our  stay. 

The  tempests  that  rise 
Shall  gloriously  hurry  our  souls  to  the  skies." 

Aug.  20.  I  preached  three  times  as  usual,  and  heard 
a  sermon  on  the  dignity  of  human  nature.  Vain  philoso- 
phy !  "Every  imagination  of  the  thoughts  of  his  heart" 
(in  an  unrenewed  man)  "was  only  evil  continually." 
Then  what  is  the  dignity  of  depraved  human  nature? 
Received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Thomas  Rankin,  expressing 
a  change  in  his  intention  of  returning  to  England. 

Asbury's  letter  evidently  caused  a  postponement  of  his 
return.  Some  two  years  passed  now  before  he  left  for  Eng- 
land. 

Aug.  28.  I  set  off  for  Mill  Creek,  to  hold  our  quarterly 
meeting.  We  found  it  a  peaceful,  comfortable  time.  Mr. 
Strawbridge    discovered    his    independent    principles,    in 


88  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1775 

objecting  to  our  discipline.  He  appears  to  want  no 
preachers ;  he  can  do  as  well  or  better  than  they.  But  it 
is  likely  self-sufficiency  is  the  spring  of  all  this.  After 
preaching  at  a  few  other  places  on  the  way  I  returned  to 
Portsmouth  on  Fciday  and  on  Saturday  we  had  a  most 
remarkable  storm — the  wind  at  northeast,  and  blew  sev- 
eral vessels  on  shore,  and  among  others  the  Mercury  man- 
of-war.  Houses  were  blown  down,  docks  torn  up,  bridges 
carried  away,  abundance  of  trees  broken  and  torn  up  by 
the  roots,  and  several  tracts  of  land  overflowed  with 
water.    What  a  peculiar  blessing  is  true  religion  ! 

Funeral  of  Robert  Williams 

Sept.  28.  I  ventured  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  at 
the  burial  of  Brother  Williams.  He  has  been  a  very 
useful,  laborious  man,  and  the  Lord  gave  him  many  seals 
to  his  ministry.  Perhaps  no  one  in  America  has  been  an 
instrument  of  awakening  so  many  souls  as  God  has 
awakened  by  him. 

Robert  Williams  was  the  founder  of  Methodism  in  Virginia. 
He  had  married  before  Asbury's  assignment  by  the  Confer- 
ence this  year  to  Norfolk  and  had  settled  on  the  road  between 
Norfolk  and  Suffolk  He  was  the  first  of  English  preachers  to 
pass  away. 

Oct.  7.  I  ventured,  though  weak,  on  a  small  excursion 
into  the  country  this  week,  and  preached  several  times. 

Oct.  8.  Was  greatly  enlarged  in  preaching  both  at 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  and  I  venture  to  hope  some 
good  was  done.  But  martial  clamors  confuse  the  land. 
However,  my  soul  shall  rest  in  God  during  this  dark  and 
cloudy  day.  He  has  his  way  in  the  whirlwind,  and  will 
not  fail  to  defend  his  own  ark. 

Oct.  II.  My  soul  is  stayed  on  the  Lord,  and  I  find 
great  sweetness  in  reading  the  Bible,  and  comparing 
spiritual  things  with  spiritual.  Other  books  have  too 
great  a  tendency  to  draw  us  from  this,  the  best  of  books; 


1775]  SUPREMACY  OF  THE   BIBLE  89 

I  therefore  intend  to  read  more  in  this,  and  less  in  all 
others. 

Oct.  13.  Returned  to  Portsmouth,  and  found  my  spirit 
at  liberty  in  preachinj^  at  night.  Well  may  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  be  compared  to  a  net,  which  is  cast  into  the 
sea,  and  gathereth  all,  both  good  and  bad ;  we  had  col- 
lected twenty-seven  persons  in  our  little  society  here, 
when  I  first  came,  but  1  have  been  obliged  to  reduce  them 
to  fourteen,  and  this  day  1  put  out  a  woman  for  excessive 
drinking.  Here  we  see  the  necessity  and  advantage  of 
discipline.  Unless  the  discipline  of  the  church  is  enforced 
what  sincere  person  would  ever  join  a  society,  among 
whom  they  saw  imgodliness  connived  at  ? 

Oct.  30.  I  am  now  bound  for  Brunswick.  Some  that 
had  been  displeased  with  my  strictness  in  discipline  were 
now  unwilling  to  let  me  go ;  but  I  fear  they  will  not  soon 
see  me  again,  if  they  should  even  say,  "'Blessed  is  he  that 
Cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  !" 

Nov.  I.  After  we  had  passed  Southampton  Court- 
house we  were  stopped  by  one  who  had  an  order  from  the 
committee  to  examine  strangers.  When  we  had  given 
him  an  account  of  ourselves  he  treated  us  with  great  kind- 
ness, and  invited  us  to  dine  wnth  him,  which  we  did.  The 
Lord  is  mindful  of  his  own. 

Nov.  2.  By  the  good  providence  of  God  I  entered 
Brunswick  Circuit,  and  am  now  within  a  few  miles  of  dear 
Brother  George  Shadford.  God  is  at  work  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  and  my  soul  catches  the  holy  fire  already. 

Meets  Shadford 

Nov.  5.  Rode  about  ten  miles  to  S.  Y.'s  chapel,  and 
met  Brother  George  Shadford.  My  spirit  was  much 
united  to  him,  and  our  meeting  was  like  that  of  Jonathan 
and  David.  We  had  a  large  congregation,  and  I  was 
much  comforted  among  them. 

Nov.  6.    I  moved  on  toward  our  quarterly  meeting,  but 


90  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1775 

in   fording  Meherrin  River   the   water  was   so  deep   as 
almost  to  swim  my  horse  and  carriage. 

Nov.  7.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began,  at  which  there 
might  be  seven  hundred  people.  What  great  things  hath 
the  Lord  wrouarht  for  the  inhabitants  of  Virginia !    Great 


REV.    GEORGE    SHADFORD. 

numbers  of  them  manifested  a  desire  to  seek  salvation  for 
their  souls.  At  this  meeting  w^e  admitted  Francis  Poy- 
thress,  James  Foster,  and  Joseph  Hartley  as  traveling 
preachers. 

All  of  these  were  to   be  henceforward  distinguished  in  the 
earlv  history  of  American  Methodism. 


1776]  THE  AMERICAN   FLETCHER  91 

Nov.  9.  Spent  this  day  prolitably  and  comfortably  with 
Brother  George  Shadford.  Happy  are  they  who  can  open 
their  minds  freely  to  each  other,  as  we  have  done ! 

Nov.  19.  I  began  and  ended  the  day  with  God.  I  had 
much  liberty  at  the  chapel  in  discoursing  on  the  subject- 
matter,  manner,  and  end  of  the  apostles'  preaching. 

Nov.  28.  The  rain  detained  me  in  the  house,  to  hold 
close  and  sweet  communion  with  my  God.  But  the  next 
day  I  found  many  collected  at  Mr.  B.'s.  Here  Mrs.  Jar- 
ratt  met  me,  and  entreated  me  to  go  into  their  parish. 

Mrs.  Jarratt  was  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Devereux  Jarratt, 
a  minister  of  the  EngUsh  Church,  a  man  of  remarkable  piety 
and  evangelical  spirit,  and  known  as  "the  American  Fletcher." 
He  not  only  sympathized  with  the  wonderful  revival  which 
was  in  progress  in  Virginia  at  this  time,  but  as  will  be  seen 
later  gave  valuable  assistance  in  carrying  it  forward. 

Dec.  20.  I  have  now  been  twelve  years  a  preacher, 
three  years  in  a  local  capacity,  and  nine  years  in  the 
traveling  connection ;  about  four  years  and  eight  months 
in  England,  and  about  four  }'ears  and  four  months  in 
America. 

Christmas  Day 

Dec.  25.  Being  Christmas  Day,  I  preached  from  i  Tim. 
I.  15 :  "This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  accep- 
tation, that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sin- 
ners." My  spirit  was  at  liberty,  and  we  were  much 
blessed  both  in  preaching  and  class  meeting.  Hitherto 
the  Lord  hath  helped  me  both  in  soul  and  body,  beyond 
my  expectation.  May  I  cheerfully  do  and  suffer  all  his 
will,  endure  to  the  end,  and  be  eternally  saved ! 

Dec.  31.  Being  the  last  day  of  the  year,  we  held  a 
watch-night  at  S.  Y.'s  chapel,  beginning  at  six  and  ending 
at  twelve  o'clock.  It  was  a  profitable  time,  and  we  had 
much  of  the  power  of  God. 

Jan.  I,  1776.  I  am  now  entering  on  a  new^  year,  and 
am  of  late  constantly  happy,  feeling  my  heart  much  taken 


92  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1776 

up  with  God,  and  hope  thus  to  Hve  and  thus  to  die.  Or, 
if  there  should  be  any  alteration,  may  it  be  for  the  better, 
and  not  for  the  worse !  This  is  my  earnest  desire  and 
prayer  to  God. 

"  My  residue  of  days  or  hours, 

Thine,  wholly  thine,  shall  be; 
And  all  my  consecrated  powers 

.\  sacrifice  to  thee; 
Till  Jesus  in  the  clouds  appear 

To  saints  on  earth  forgiven, 
And  bring  the  grand  sabbatic  year, 

The  jubilee  of  heaven." 

Jan.  10.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Jarratt  met  me  at  friend  B.'s, 
and  gave  me  a  long  narrative  of  a  great  work  under 
Brother  George  Shad  ford.  We  held  a  watch-night,  and 
Mr.  Jarratt  ami  I  stood  about  two  hours  each.  There 
appeared  to  be  a  great  degree  of  divine  power  among  the 
people.  Mr.  Jarratt  accompanied  me  to  W.  P.'s,  where  I 
preached,  and  then  pursued  my  way  to  Mr.  P.'s,  in  Ches- 
terfield, a  good  old  saint  of  God.  The  Lord  was  with  us 
there,  and  I  afterward  went  on  to  Petersburg,  and  was 
glad  to  see  my  friends,  though  they  were  in  some  trouble 
about  the  times.  To  the  great  loss  of  many  individuals, 
we  are  informed  that  Norfolk  was  burnt  by  the  governor. 

This  was  the  first  meeting  of  Asbury  and  Jarratt.  Bangs, 
in  his  History  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  vol.  i, 
p.  90,  fE.,  gives  a  long  and  very  sympathetic  account  of  "The 
Revival  of  Religion  in  Virginia,"  written  by  Mr.  Jarratt  and 
sent  through  Asbury  to  Mr.  Rankin  to  be  forwarded  by  him 
to  Mr.  Wesley.  This  account  was  received  by  Asbury  Decem- 
ber ig,  1776,  and  is  printed  in  the  unabridged  edition  of  his 
Journal  under  that  date,  and  later  as  a  pamphlet- 

Jan.  24.  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Thomas  Rankin 
informing  me  that  he  had  administered  on  Brother 
Williams's  will,  and  desiring  me  to  pay  attention  to  his 
affairs  in  these  parts,  and  then  return  to  Philadelphia  by 
the  first  of  March.  Virginia  pleases  me  in  preference  to 
all  other  places  where  I  have  been,  but  I  am  willing  to 


I776J  CONTROVERSIAL  DIVINITY  93 

leave  it  at  the  call  of  Providence.  The  thought  of  having 
my  mind  taken  np  with  Brother  Williams's  affairs  gives 
me  some  concern.  I  want  no  temporal  business  of 
any  kind. 

More  War  Rumors 

Jan.  30.  The  weather  has  been  very  cold,  though  I 
have  attended  every  place  in  course,  and  both  the  people 
and  myself  have  been  frequently  blessed.  I  have  been 
reading  Burnet's  History  of  his  Own  Times,  and  am 
amazed  at  the  intrigues  of  courts,  and  the  treachery  of 
men.  There  is  reason  to  fear,  the  same  cause  produces 
the  same  effects  at  this  time.  For  there  is  no  probability 
of  peace,  and  a  great  army  is  expected  from  England  in 
the  spring. 

For  two  months  or  more  now  Asbury's  daily  records  of 
labors  and  personal  experiences  are  interspersed  with  observa- 
tions concerning  the  impending  war  between  the  Colonies  and 
England. 

Feb.  5.  Having  attended  the  several  appointments  in 
the  way,  I  came  to  S.  Y.'s,  and  met  the  preachers  col- 
lected for  the  quarterly  meeting.  With  mutual  affection 
and  brotherly  freedom  we  discoursed  on  the  things  of 
God,  and  were  w^ell  agreed. 

Feb.  18.  I  preached  twice  at  Petersburg.  The  last 
subject  was  the  rich  man  and  Lazarus,  which  struck  the 
people  with  great  solemnity ;  and  many  seemed  to  feel  the 
power  of  God. 

Feb.  19.  There  were  two  Baptist  preachers  among  the 
congregation  to-day.  After  the  sermon  was  ended  they 
desired  to  speak  with  me.  So  we  conversed  about  three 
hours  on  experimental,  practical,  and  controversial  divin- 
ity, but  ended  where  we  began.  I  thank  the  Lord,  my 
mind  was  kept  in  peace  and  coolness.  No  doubt  but 
Satan  is  very  active  in  promoting  religious  controversies. 
Many  take  a  controversial  spirit  for  the  spirit  of  religion, 
while  others  dispute  away  what  little  religion  they  have. 


94  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1776 

"Only  by  pride  cometh  contention."  "The  wisdom  that 
is  from  above  is  first  pure,  then  peaceable." 

Feb.  21.  Deep  seriousness  sat  on  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple under  the  preaching  at  friend  I.ynch's ;  and  my 
preaching,  for  five  times  together,  has  been  attended 
with  blessed  effects.  But  let  all  the  glory  be  given  to 
God !  I  am  only  as  a  pen  in  the  hand  of  a  writer.  My 
soul  longs  for  more  spirituality,  and  to  be  totally  dedi- 
cated to  God. 

Feb.  23.  I  set  off  for  Philadelphia,  and  after  meeting 
with  various  occurrences,  heavy  rains,  and  much  fatigue, 
reached  Leesburg  on  February  29.  The  attention  of  the 
audience  was  much  engaged  on  the  Lord's  Day  at  the 
courthouse,  while  I  discoursed  with  great  affection  and 
clearness  of  ideas.  I  afterward  visited  a  poor,  unhappy 
man  imprisoned  for  murder,  but  found  him  very  ignorant, 
though  he  was  brought  under  some  concern  before  we 
parted. 

Mar.  7.  Having  left  Leesburg  on  Monday,  by  the  good 
providence  of  God,  arrived  safe  at  Baltimore  to-day,  but 
found  the  people  greatly  alarmed  by  the  report  of  a  man- 
of-war  being  near.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  were  moving 
out  of  town. 

Man-of-War 

Mar.  8.  The  town  was  all  in  commotion.  It  was  re- 
ported that  the  man-of-war  was  in  the  river^  which  ex- 
cited the  serious  attention  of  all  the  inhabitants ;  so  that 
some  were  moving  off,  while  others  were  arming. 

Mar.  10.  The  congregations  were  but  small,  so  great 
has  the  consternation  been.  But  I  know  the  Lord  gov- 
erneth  the  world ;  therefore  these  things  shall  not  trouble 
me.  I  will  endeavor  to  be  ready  for  life  or  death  ;  so  that, 
if  death  should  come,  my  soul  may  joyfully  quit  this  land 
of  sorrow,  and  go  to  rest  in  the  embraces  of  the  blessed 
Jesus.    O  delightful  felicity !    There  is  no  din  of  war,  no 


1776]  PERRY  HALL  95 

unfriendly  persecutors  of  piety,  no  enchanting  world  with 
concealed  destruction,  no  malevolent  spirit  to  disturb  our 
peace ;  but  all  is  purity,  peace,  and  joy.  Adapting  my  dis- 
course to  the  occasion,  I  preached  this  evening  from  Isa. 
I.  19,  20:  "If  ye  be  willing  and  obedient,  ye  shall  eat  the 
good  of  the  land :  but  if  \'e  refuse  and  rebel,  ye  shall  be 
devoured  with  the  sword :  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath 
spoken  it." 

At  Mr.  Gotigh's 

Mar.  II.  Pursued  my  way  as  far  as  Mr.  H.  Cough's, 
and  was  treated  with  great  kindness.  May  this  family 
evince  that  all  things  are  possible  with  God,  though  their 
salvation  should  be  attended  with  as  much  apparent  diffi- 
culty as  the  passage  of  a  camel  through  the  eye  of  a 
needle !  If  they  prove  faithful  stewards  they  will.  I 
preached  here  the  next  day  to  a  large  congregation, 
among  whom  were  some  of  my  old  friends  from  the 
Forks  ;  and  the  Lord  gave  us  a  blessing  together. 

Henry  Dorsey  Gough  had  now  been  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist society  for  about  a  year.  His  relation  to  Methodism  is 
one  of  the  conspicuous  romances  of  our  early  history.  He  was 
a  man  of  large  wealth,  and  his  home,  "Perry  Hall,"  about 
twelve  miles  from  Baltimore,  and  henceforth  to  be  both  a 
preaching  place  and  haven  of  rest  for  the  itinerants,  was  one 
of  the  most  spacious  mansions  in  America.  Mr.  Gough 
erected  a  chapel  contiguous  to  his  house,  which  is  noted  as  the 
first  American  Methodist  meetinghouse  that  had  a  bell. 

Mar.  13.  Came  to  Joseph  Dallam's,  and  found  his 
pious  wife  under  hysterical  complaints,  and  full  of  doubts 
about  the  state  of  her  soul.  Preached  the  next  day,  at  a 
place  by  the  way,  wath  holy  warmth  of  afifection,  to  a  con- 
siderable number  of  people. 

Mar.  19.  LTnder  the  divine  protection  I  came  safe  to 
Philadelphia,  having  rode  about  three  thousand  miles 
since  I  left  it  last.  But  heaven  is  my  object,  not  earth. 
This  springs  my  mind,  and  makes  my  burden  light. 


96  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1776 

"The  things  eternal  I  pursue, 
A  happiness  beyond  the  view 

Of  those  that  basely  pant 
For  things  by  nature  felt  and  seen : 
Their  honors,  wealth,  and  pleasure  mean, 

I  neither  have  nor  want." 

Here  I  met  with  Mr.  Thomas  Rankin  in  the  spirit  of 
love ;  and  received  a  full  account  of  what  related  to  the' 
unhappy  Mr.  Dempster.  I  also  received  an  affectionate 
letter  from  Mr.  Wesley,  and  am  truly  sorry  that  the  ven- 
erable man  ever  dipped  into  the  politics  of  America.  My 
desire  is  to  live  in  love  and  peace  with  all  men  ;  to  do  them 
no  harm,  but  all  the  good  I  can.  However,  it  discovers 
Mr.  Wesley's  conscientious  attachment  to  the  government 
under  which  he  lived.  Had  he  been  a  subject  of  America, 
no  doubt  he  would  have  been  as  zealous  an  advocate  of 
the  American  cause.  But  some  inconsiderate  persons 
have  taken  occasion  to  censure  the  Methodists  in  Amer- 
ica on  account  of  Mr.  Wesley's  political  sentiments. 

Good  Friday 

Apr.  5.  I  heard  a  Moravian  preach,  but  it  was  only 
an  historical  faith.  And  this  being  Good  Friday,  I 
preached  from  these  pathetic  words  of  Christ:  "Father,  if 
it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  from  me :  nevertheless  not 
as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt."  What  mortal  can  form  any 
idea  of  the  blessed  Saviour's  feelings  at  that  time,  when 
his  agony  was  so  great  as  to  express  from  his  sinless  body 
great  drops  of  blood  and  water !  Was  it  ever  heard  be- 
fore that  any  man  sweat  blood  ?  If  Jesus  found  the  pun- 
ishment due  to  sin  to  be  so  severe,  how  will  poor  sinners 
themselves  bear  the  eternal  damnation  of  hell  ? 

Apr.  7.  The  Lord  graciously  assisted  me  in  my  public 
exercises  both  morning  and  evening. 

Apr.  13.  Was  desired  to  visit  a  prisoner  under  sentence 
of  death.     I  found  he  was  an  Englishman,  had  been  an 


1776]  MARTIAL  SPIRIT  97 

old  soldier,  and  had  experienced  the  pardoning  love  of 
God  in  Ireland  about  twenty  years  ago.  Thus  we  see 
that,  although  a  soul  has  been  blessed  with  the  favor  of 
God,  yet  unfaithfulness  may  provoke  the  Almighty  to 
give  up  such  a  person  to  work  all  kinds  of  sin  with  greedi- 
ness. Then  "let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth  take  heed 
lest  he  fall." 

Apr.  16.  ^A  friend  from  New  York  informed  us  that 
troops  were  raised  and  intrenchments  made  in  that  city. 

0  Lord,  we  are  oj^pressed ;  undertake  for  us.  I  received 
a  letter  from  friend  E.  at  Trenton,  complaining  that  the 
societies  in  that  circuit  had  been  neglected  by  the 
preachers. 

Ai'R.  18.  We  heard  of  a  skirmish  between  the  Phila- 
delphia fleet  and  the  Glasgow  man-of-war.  What  will  be 
the  end  of  these  things?  Lord,  think  upon  us  for  good, 
and  shoAv  us  mercy ! 

Apr.  23.  Rode  to  Burlington,  and  on  the  way  my  soul 
was  filled  with  holy  peace,  and  employed  in  heavenly  con- 
templations ;  but  found,  to  my  grief,  that  many  had  so 
imbibed  a  martial  spirit  that  they  had  lost  the  spirit  of 
pure  and  undefilcd  religion.  I  preached  from  Rom. 
13.  II,  but  found  it  was  a  dry  and  barren  time.  And  some 
who  once  ran  well  now  walk  disorderly. 

]\L\y  6.  My  mind  was  in  a  dissipated  frame  to-day ; 
and  we  were  alarmed  with  a  report  that  ships-of-war  were 
then  in  the  river.  However,  I  was  blessed  in  meeting  a 
class  at  night.  My  mind  was  more  composed  and  com- 
fortable the  next  day,  but  not  so  spiritual  and  heavenly  as 

1  desire  it  should  be. 

"Come,  Lord,  from  above, 

The  mountains  remove. 
Overturn  all  that  hinders  the  course  of  thy  love: 

My  bosom  inspire, 

Enkindle  the  fire, 
And  wrap  my  whole  soul  in  the  flames  of  desire." 


98  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1776 

Preached  at  night  from  a  text  which  corresponded  with 
rny  own  feehngs :  "These  are  they  which  came  out  of 
great  tribulation,"  etc. 

Tidings  of  War 

May  8.  About  ten  o'clock  to-day  tidings  arrived  that 
there  had  been  a  skirmish  off  Christiana,  between  thirteen 
row-galleys  and  the  Roebuck  man-of-war ;  that,  after  an 
encounter  of  three  or  four  hours,  the  man-of-war  with- 
drew, as  it  was  thought,  much  shattered.  At  this  news 
the  inhabitants  of  the  city  were  all  in  commotion,  and  the 
women  especially  were  greatly  shocked. 

May  23.  Visited  Mrs.  G.,  an  old  disciple  of  Mr.  White- 
field's  ;  but  now  she  entertains  the  Methodists. 

May  27.  Expecting  the  preachers  were  on  their  return 
from  the  Conference,  I  appointed  preaching  at  my  lodg- 
ings, but  had  to  preach  myself,  to  a  small,  attentive, 
tender  company,  and  felt  much  quickened  in  my  own  soul. 
At  night  Brother  Rankin  arrived,  and  informed  me  that 
I  was  appointed  for  Baltimore ;  to  which  I  cheerfully  sub- 
mit, though  it  seems  to  be  against  my  bodily  health. 

On  account  of  illness  Asbury  had  been  unable  to  attend  the 
Annual  Conference,  which  assembled  this  year  at  Baltimore, 
May  24.  This  was  the  first  time  the  Conference  had  been  held 
in  that  city.  A  very  considerable  increase  in  the  societies, 
due  largely  to  the  revival  in  Virginia,  was  reported. 

June  2.  Went  to  the  chapel,  and  preached  after 
Brother  Samuel  Spragg,  and  the  people  appeared  to  be 
deeply  affected ;  but  Brother  Spragg  does  not  seem  to 
enter  into  the  Methodist  plan  of  preaching.  He  uses  a 
few  pompous,  swelling  words,  which  pass  for  something 
great  with  short-sighted  people,  but  are  not  calculated  to 
do  them  much  spiritual  good. 

June  6.  Was  greatly  blessed  in  meditation  and  prayer 
on  my  way  to  Mr.  Harry  Cough's,  and  there  met  with  my 
good  friend,  Mr.  Philip  Rogers,  and  his  wife.  The  next 
day  my  spirit  was  in  heaviness  through  manifold  tempta- 


1776]  SWORD  IN  HAND  99 

tions.  I  see  the  need  of  always  standing  sword  in  hand 
against  my  adversary  the  devil. 

June  9.  Yesterday  I  preached  with  some  satisfaction 
at  Mr.  Giles's ;  and  rode  to-day  about  twelve  miles  to  the 
Forks,  where  I  preached  from  Col.  i.  28,  and  then  met 
part  of  several  classes.  My  feeble  body  was  much  fa- 
tigued with  the  exercises  of  the  day,  but  my  soul  was 
delightfully  taken  up  with  God. 

June  15.  After  preaching  in  the  Dutch  church,  and 
meeting  the  class,  I  rode  about  five  miles,  through  a 
heavy  rain,  and  the  wind  was  so  powerful  that  it  blew 
down  trees,  barns,  and  houses,  so  that  it  was  with  diffi- 
culty I  could  urge  my  way  through  the  woods ;  but  at 
length  came  safe  to  the  widow  M.'s,  and  enjoyed  a  com- 
fortable hour  in  preaching  from  Luke  14.  18,  19. 

June  19.  Spent  some  time  with  Mr.  Otterbein.  There 
are  very  few  with  whom  I  can  find  so  much  unity  and 
freedom  in  conversation  as  with  him.  At  night  the  words 
were  a  blessing  to  myself,  and  no  doubt  to  others,  while 
I  expatiated  on  2  Cor.  4.  5. 

Fined  for  Preaching 

June  20.  Went  to  Nathan  Perigau's,  and  was  fined  £5 
for  preaching  the  gospel.  But  found  my  soul  at  liberty 
both  in  preaching  and  class  meeting. 

June  24.  Spoke  plainly  on  the  nature  of  our  society, 
and  the  necessity  of  discipline,  which  perhaps  was  not 
very  pleasing  to  some  who  do  not  choose  to  join.  I  told 
them  we  could  not,  would  not,  and  durst  not  allow  any 
the  privileges  of  members  who  would  not  come  under  the 
discipline  of  the  society. 

June  25.  James  Foster,  who  has  lately  come  from 
Virginia,  gave  me  an  agreeable  account  of  the  glorious 
spreading  of  the  work  of  God  in  Virginia  and  North  Car- 
olina. The  Lord  is  fulfilling  his  promises,  and  pouring 
out  his  Holy  Spirit  on  the  people. 


100  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1776 

June  26.  This  was  a  general  fast  day,  and  my  heart 
was  fixed  on  God.  I  preached  at  three  o'clock  at  Mr.  S.'s, 
and  the  power  of  God  was  displayed  among  the  poorer 
part  of  the  congregation.  James  Foster  then  met  the 
class,  like  another  George  Shadford. 

June  28.  Going  to  my  appointment,  it  rained  much, 
and  I  got  wet,  which  brought  on  a  sore  throat,  and  laid 
me  up  till  July  9.  For  the  greatest  part  of  the  time  1 
could  neither  eat,  drink,  nor  sleep,  till  the  tumor  broke. 
But,  glory  to  God  !  I  possessed  my  soul  in  patience  under 
the  whole  of  the  affliction.  As  a  kind  father  dealeth  with 
an  afflicted  son,  so  the  Lord  dealeth  with  me.  What 
shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits?  I  will 
render  thanksgiving  and  praise,  and  devote  both  body  and 
soul  to  the  Most  High.  During  this  affliction  my  abode 
was  at  Mr.  Cough's.  I  have  now  come  to  a  determina- 
tion, God  willing,  to  go  to  the  warm  springs,  and  make  a 
trial  of  them  for  the  recovery  of  my  health ;  perhaps  my 
strength  may  be  thereby  so  restored  for  future  services 
that  upon  the  whole  there  may  be  no  loss  of  time.  Robert 
Wooster,  William  Lynch,  and  James  Foster  will  supply 
the  circuit  in  the  meantime. 

Asbury's  habit  in  keeping  his  Journal,  when  he  had  been 
prevented  by  illness,  or  other  reasons,  from  making  regular 
entries,  was  to  date  back  where  he  had  left  off,  and  fill  the 
gap  as  best  he  could. 

July  13.  My  heart  has  been  humbled  and  melted 
under  a  sense  of  the  goodness  ~^of  God.  This  day  I  set 
out  for  Baltimore  on  my  way  to  the  springs ;  but  by  the 
time  I  reached  the  town  I  felt  a  great  disposition  to  weari- 
ness in  my  shattered  frame.  I  ventured  to  preach  both 
this  evening  and  the  next  day,  and  humbly  hope  the  Word 
was  made  a  blessing  to  many. 

July  15.  We  set  ofif  for  the  springs.  Mr.  Dallam 
overtook  us  in  the  evening,  and,  that  no  opportunity  might 
be  lost,  I  lectured  at  night  in  the  tavern  where  we  lodged ; 


1776]  A  METHODICAL  DISCOURSE  loi 

and  both  the  tavern-keeper  and  his  wife  appeared  to  have 
some  thoughts  about  their  souls. 

Arrives  at  Springs 

July  i8.  After  riding  forty  miles  to-day  we  reached 
the  springs,  and  at  first  we  found  it  difficult  to  obtain 
lodgings,  but  after  a  while  I  succeeded.  Here  was  work 
enough  for  a  preacher,  if  he  desired  to  be  faithful. 

July  19.  I  could  not  be  satisfied  till  I  declared  to  the 
people  their  danger  and  duty,  which  I  did  from  Isa. 
55.  6,  7.  They  all  behaved  with  decency,  though  it  is  more 
than  probable  that  some  of  them  had  enough  of  my 
preaching. 

July  20.  We  had  a  meeting  in  the  evening — which  we 
intended  to  have  every  evening  at  Mr.  Gough's  and  Mr. 
Merryman's  alternately — for  prayer  and  exhortation,  at 
which  about  twenty  people  attended.  My  spirit  was 
grieved  within  me  at  the  conduct  of  poor  sinners,  but  in 
Jesus  my  Lord  I  had  peace. 

July  21.  A  Church  minister  attended  the  public  ex- 
hortation in  the  morning;  and  in  the  afternoon  a  dis- 
senting minister  preached  from  these  excellent  words : 
"Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be 
saved."  His  discourse  was  very  methodical,  but  dry,  and 
full  of  academic  stififness.  It  was  very  unlikely  to  bring 
souls  either  to  faith  or  repentance.  I  preached  in  the 
evening  from  Acts  13.  26.  But  my  spirit  was  so  stirred 
up  within  me,  by  a  desire  that  the  people  who  were  in 
their  houses  might  hear,  that  by  speaking  too  loud,  I  hurt 
myself.  We  afterward  had  a  good  time  in  our  prayer 
meeting. 

July  23.  The  peace  of  God  abideth  constantly  with 
me.  I  preached  again  by  the  side  of  a  hill,  near  the  bath, 
and  the  Word  had  a  melting  influence  on  some  of  the  con- 
gregation. The  dissenting  minister  attended  our  prayer 
meeting  in  the  evening,  and  prayed  with  us.     By  the 


I02  '  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1776 

blessing  of  God,  my  body  began  to  feel  the  benefit  of  the 
waters.  Reading  the  lives  of  Halyburton,  Walsh,  and  De 
Renty  has  had  a  great  tendency  to  quicken  my  soul. 

Thomas  Halyburton  (1674-17 12)  was  a  distinguished  Scottish 
divine;  Thomas  Walsh  (1730-1759)  was  one  of  the  remarkable 
men  of  early  Methodism,  Wesley  pronounced  him  "  the  best 
biblical  scholar  he  knew";  De  Renty  (1611-1648)  was  a 
French  ascetic,  noted  for  piety,  and  whose  Life  published  in 
French  in  165 1  was  abridged  by  John  Wesley  and  republished. 

July  24.  The  congregation  was  rather  increased ; 
many  were  affected,  and  one  man  fell  down.  It  clearly 
appears  that  I  am  in  the  line  of  my  duty  in  attending  the 
springs :  there  is  a  manifest  check  to  the  overflowing  tide 
of  immorality,  and  the  prejudices  of  many  people  are  in  a 
great  degree  removed.  So  that  I  hope  my  visit  to  this 
place  will  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  souls  of  some,  as  well 
as  for  the  benefit  of  my  own  body ;  though  preaching  in 
the  open  air  to  a  people  who  are  almost  strangers  to  a 
praying  spirit,  is  more  disagreeable  to  my  feelings,  and  a 
much  greater  cross,  than  traveling  and  preaching  in  a 
circuit. 

July  26.  The  zealous  conversation  and  prayers  of  Mr. 
Gough  seem  to  move  and  melt  the  hearts  of  the  people 
more  than  my  preaching  does.  Lord,  send  by  whom  thou 
wilt,  only  send  to  the  conviction  and  salvation  of  immortal 
souls.  I  have  found  both  reproof  and  instruction  in  read- 
ing the  life  of  Mr.  Walsh. 

Daily  Programme 

July  29.  My  present  mode  of  conduct  is  as  follows : 
to  read  about  a  hundred  pages  a  day ;  usually  to  pray  in 
public  five  times  a  day;  to  preach  in  the  open  air  every 
other  day ;  and  to  lecture  in  prayer  meeting  every  evening. 
And  if  it  were  in  my  power  I  would  do  a  thousand  times 
as  much  for  such  a  gracious  and  blessed  ]\Iaster.  But  in 
the  midst  of  all  my  little  employments  I  feel  myself  as 
nothing,  and  Christ  to  me  is  all  in  all. 


1776]  CHEROKEE  INDIANS  103 

July  31.  Spent  some  time  in  the  woods  alone  witli 
God,  and  found  it  a  peculiar  time  of  love  and  joy.  O, 
delightful  employment !  But  my  mind  is  in  some  degree 
disturbed  by  the  reports  of  battles  and  slaughters.  It 
seems  the  Cherokee  Indians  have  also  begun  to  break 
out,  and  the  English  ships  have  been  coasting  to  and  fro. 
watching  for  some  advantages ;  bvit  what  can  they  expect 
to  accomplish  without  an  army  of  two  or  three  hundred 
thousand  men  ?  And  even  then,  there  would  be  but  little 
prospect  of  their  success.  O  that  this  dispensation  might 
answer  its  proper  end ! — that  the  people  would  fear  the 
Lord,  and  sincerely  devote  themselves  to  his  service. 

A  Methodist  in  Principle 

Aug.  8.  Met  with  a  man  to-day  who  came  from  a 
place  about  eighteen  miles  from  the  springs.  He  never 
heard  a  Methodist  before,  nor  saw  one ;  yet  he  appeared 
to  be  a  Methodist  in  principle,  experience,  and  practice. 
He  was  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  himself  and  of  God 
by  the  means  of  sore  afflictions  of  body,  prayer,  and 
reading.  Thus  we  see  the  Lord  works  where  and  in  what 
manner  he  pleases. 

Aug.  II.  A  fine,  sensible,  polite  gentleman  delivered 
a  discourse  on  the  new  birth  ;  he  described  it  by  its  effects, 
but  appeared  to  be  at  a  total  loss  in  respect  to  the  manner 
in  which  it  is  wrought.  I  had  spoken  in  the  morning,  and 
in  the  evening  preached  again,  pressing  religion  on  the 
young  people  especially,  and  showing  the  superior  ad- 
vantages and  satisfaction  arising  from  it  even  in  this  life. 

Aug.  12.  I  rode  seventeen  miles  to  see  a  saint  indeed, 
a  woman  confined  to  her  bed  for  fifteen  years,  and  quite 
happy  in  the  love  of  God,  though  she  had  never  seen  a 
Methodist,  or  any  other  truly  religious  people.  After  I 
had  preached,  with  some  divine  assistance,  to  about  one 
hundred  people  collected  from  the  country  parts  around, 
we  returned  and  had  a  comfortable  time  in  our  evening 


I04  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1776 

meeting.  The  house  in  which  we  Hve  at  the  springs  is 
not  the  most  agreeable ;  the  size  of  it  is  twenty  feet  by 
sixteen,  and  there  are  seven  beds  and  sixteen  persons 
therein,  and  some  noisy  children.  So  I  dwell  among 
briers  and  thorns ;  but  my  soul  is  in  peace. 

Aug.  2^.  I  had  some  serious  conversation  with  a 
Quaker  on  the  subject  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  the 
grand  criterion  of  all  inward  and  outward  religion.  But 
to  deny  this  is  to  oppose  the  present  dictates  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  its  former  dictates,  which  would  be  a  most  dan- 
gerous absurdity.  How  strange,  how  presumptuous,  to 
exalt  the  dignity  of  modern  speakers  beyond  that  of  the 
prophets  and  apostles,  who  spake  as  they  were  moved  by 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  have  given  us  a  sure  word  of  proph- 
ecy, whereunto  we  do  well  that  we  take  heed!  (2  Pet. 
I.  19.)  We  are  sure  that  the  Sacred  Scriptures  are  of 
God  ;  and  we  are  as  sure,  if  any  man  speak  contrary  to 
them,  he  is  not  of  God, 

Aug.  25.  After  preaching  to-day  I  fell  in  with  one  of 
the  wildest  Antinomians  I  had  ever  met  with.  He  under- 
took to  prove  that  love  is  not  love,  and  said  that  "they 
that  are  born  of  God  do  not  sin ;  but  that  they  may  sin  in 
all  manner  of  ways,  and  frequently  do  so."  But  what 
was  most  surprising,  he  said  "he  valued  not  my  God  and 
Christ ;  for  they  could  neither  save  nor  damn  him."  Such 
language  is  enough  to  make  a  man  shudder  in  repeat- 
ing it. 

Aug.  27.  Having  taken  my  leave  yesterday,  in  dis- 
coursing on  the  parable  of  the  sower,  I  this  day  turned  my 
back  on  the  springs,  as  the  best  and  the  worst  place  that 
I  ever  was  in — good  for  health,  but  most  injurious  to 
religion. 

Sept.  i.  I  rode  to  Gunpowder  Neck,  and  preached 
twice.  My  soul  was  exceedingly  happy  in  God,  both  in 
preaching  and  meeting  the  class.  But  alas!  we  hear  of 
bloodshed    and    slaughter.     Many    immortal    souls    are 


1776]  WATCH-NIGHT  MEETING  105 

driven  to  eternity  by  the  bloody  sword.  This  is  a  grief 
to  my  soul.  Lord,  scatter  them  that  delight  in  war  and 
thirst  for  human  blood !  It  is  well  for  the  righteous  that 
this  is  not  their  home.  No  ;  they  are  blessed  with  a  pacific 
spirit,  and  are  bound  for  a  kingdom  of  peace,  where 
"  No  horrid  alarum  of  war 

Shall  break  our  eternal  repose; 
No  sound  of  the  trumpet  is  there 
Where  Jesus's  Spirit  o'erflows: 
Appeased  by  the  charms  of  thy  grace, 

We  all  shall  in  amity  join, 
And  kindly  each  other  embrace, 

And  love  with  a  passion  like  thine." 

Sept.  17.  Both  rich  and  poor  came  out  to  hear  the 
Word  at  Elk  Ridge,  and  some  of  the  young  and  gay  were 
made  to  weep.  It  will  be  well  for  them  if  they  prefer 
Jesus  Christ  and  his  cross  to  all  the  wealth  and  vanity  of 
this  world.  I  went  home  with  Caleb  Dorsey,  who  was 
once  convinced  of  sin,  but  has  now  grown  worse  than 
ever.  He  had  about  forty  souls  in  his  family,  untaught 
as  the  Indians  in  the  forest.  They  seem  to  roll  in  plenty ; 
but  "there  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked." 

The  Judgments  of  God 

Sept.  29.  There  were  five  or  six  hundred  people  at 
the  Forks,  to  whom  I  discoursed  on  the  judgments  of 
God,  and  showed  who  are  the  provoking  cause — not  re- 
ligious people,  as  the  ignorant  say,  but  those  who  trans- 
gress the  laws  of  God  in  defiance  of  his  justice.  Thus  it 
was  with  the  antediluvians,  with  the  Egyptians,  with  the 
apostate  Israelites  in  the  wilderness,  with  the  inhabitants 
of  Jerusalem  after  the  coming  of  Christ,  and  thus  it  is 
with  us. 

Oct.  6.  We  had  a  great  meeting  at  the  widow  M.'s. 
I  preached  at  eleven  o'clock  to  six  or  seven  hundred 
souls ;  and  then  we  held  a  love  feast,  in  which  many  spoke 
of  the  goodness  of  God.     We  had  five  or  six  preachers 


io6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1776 

and  exhorters ;  so  we  also  held  a  watch-night  from  six 
o'clock  till  ten.  And  I  felt  as  if  it  would  have  been  no 
burden  to  have  tarried  in  religious  exercises  all  the  night. 
The  next  evening  likewise  we  had  a  very  solemn  watch- 
night. 

Oct.  25.  Being  a  day  of  rest  from  public  exercises,  I 
spent  it  in  prayer,  meditation,  and  reading;  partly  in 
Whitby's  Notes,  and  partly  in  the  Life  of  Solon,  the 
Athenian  philosopher. 

Nov.  2.  For  a  few  days  past  I  have  been  variously  ex- 
ercised in  preaching  at  different  places.  Some  congrega- 
tions were  warm  and  earnest  in  religion ;  others  were 
dull,  and  seemed  to  have  but  little  relish  for  divine 
things.  ' 

Nov.  12.  We  held  our  quarterly  meeting  at  Deer 
Creek.  We  had  a  very  solemn  time  at  the  love  feast,  in 
which  many  spoke  freely  and  feelingly  of  what  God  had 
done  for  their  souls.  After  the  preaching  was  ended  and 
the  temporal  business  all  settled,  we  then  laid  a  plan  for 
regulating  the  public  exercises  of  the  local  preachers,  and 
concluded  the  whole  in  much  love  and  good  order.  But 
these  public  times  interrupt  my  private  devotions  and 
communion  with  God.  It  would  be  very  disagreeable  to 
live  so  always.  One  of  the  preachers  brought  an  account 
of  an  apparition  that  appeared  to  a  lad,  and  gave  a  par- 
ticular account  of  being  murdered  by  his  fellow  soldier, 
requesting  that  the  lad's  father  might  lodge  an  informa- 
tion against  the  murderer;  which  was  done.  I  was  in- 
formed that  the  American  and  English  armies  were  can- 
nonading within  a  mile  of  each  other  near  New  Rochelle. 
How  terrible  is  war ! 

Nov.  25.  My  soul  was  calm  and  comfortable.  I  have 
applied  myself  much  to  reading  Whitby ;  but  he  has  so 
much  to  say  about  different  men's  opinions  that  it  makes 
the  labor  of  reading  him  too  dry  and  tedious.  Now  I 
began  to  read  the  Christian  Library. 


1776]  TROUBLES  AT  HAND  107 

Nov.  30.  Returniii<^  to  Baltimore,  I  preached  from 
Rom.  8.  38,  39.  The  congregation  was  small,  but  there 
was  power  in  the  Word.  It  was  now  reported  that  the 
British  troops  were  on  their  march  to  Philadelphia. 
Troubles  may  be  at  hand.  But  my  design  is,  through 
grace,  so  to  improve  my  time  as  to  be  always  prepared  for 
the  worst. 

Saint  Paul  on  Justification 

Dec.  2.  In  reading  Whitby  on  i  Cor.  4.  4  I  observed 
these  words :  "Here  also  note  in  Saint  Paul  another  sense 
of  justification,  as  it  relates  to  our  absolution  from  con- 
demnation, and  our  approbation  as  righteous  at  the  last 
day,  which  will  be,  saith  he,  according  to  our  works 
(2  Cor.  5.  10),  and  our  fidelity  in  execution  of  the  trusts 
committed  to  us  (verse  2)."  We  are  commanded  to  fol- 
low Jesus  Christ.  And  he,  for  the  joy  that  was  set  before 
him,  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame.  So  it  is  our 
duty  to  follow  the  example  of  Moses,  who  had  respect 
unto  the  recompense  of  reward.  Hence  it  appears,  we 
are  justified  by  the  merits  of  Christ,  through  faith,  in  the 
day  of  conversion ;  and  by  the  evidence  of  works  in  the 
day  of  judgment.  Happy  is  the  Christian  who  abounds 
with  them ! 

Dec.  8.  My  present  practice  is  to  set  apart  about  three 
hours  out  of  every  twenty-four  for  private  prayer ;  but 
Satan  labors  much  to  interrupt  me. 

Dec.  9.  My  ideas  were  clear  and  my  heart  was  warm 
while  I  was  treating  on  the  regal  dignity  of  Christ,  the 
nature  of  his  government,  and  the  privileges  of  his 
subjects. 

Dec.  10.  With  the  snow  full  in  my  face,  I  set  out  for 
Mr.  T.'s.  The  fiesh  was  reluctant  for  a  while,  but  was 
brought  to  submit.  When  the  mind  is  reconciled  to  du- 
ties and  difficulties,  then  that  which  was  hard  becomes 
easy. 


io8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1777 

Dec.  12.  I  was  greatly  assisted  and  blessed  in  my  own 
soul  while  preaching  about  two  hours  at  a  watch-night  at 
Mr.  Perigau's.  We  have  many  alarming  accounts  of  mar- 
tial preparations ;  but  I  leave  the  troubles  of  to-morrow  till 
to-morrow  comes.  My  desire  is  to  live  more  to  God  to- 
day than  yesterday,  and  to  be  more  holy  this  hour  than 
the  last. 

Dec.  15.  The  troubles  of  the  times  seemed  so  to  en- 
gross the  attention  of  the  people  that  the  congregation 
were  very  dull  while  I  preached  at  night  in  Baltimore 
from  Mic.  6.  9:  "The  Lord's  voice  crietli  unto  the  city, 
and  the  man  of  wisdom  shall  see  thy  name:  hear  ye  the 
rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  it."  It  seems  Mr.  Rankin  is 
going  to  New  York. 

Displays  of  Power 

Dec.  19.  Received  a  narrative  of  the  work  of  God  in 
Virginia,  written  by  Mr.  Jarratt  to  be  sent  to  Mr.  Wesley. 
The  Lord  has  been  displaying  the  power  of  his  grace  in  a 
marvelous  manner  through  many  parts  of  A^irginia. 

In  the  Journal  as  first  published  this  narrative  is  printed, 
together  with  letters,  etc.,  some  twenty  pages  in  all. 

Jan.  2,  1777.  My  soul  has  had  to  wrestle  with  princi- 
palities and  powers ;  but  by  the  grace  of  God,  in  obstinate- 
ly resisting  the  tempter,  I  have  come  off  more  than  con- 
queror, and  am  now  in  peace.  I  was  enabled  to  speak 
plainly  and  closely  at  Mr.  Gough's. 

Jan.  5.  After  preaching  and  meeting  the  society  I 
think  the  people  were  left  more  in  earnest  for  the  salvation 
of  their  souls  than  they  were  before. 

Jan.  13.  We  have  constant  rumors  about  the  disagree- 
able war  which  is  now  spreading  through  the  country; 
but  all  these  things  I  still  commit  to  God.  Matters  of 
greater  perpetuity  call  for  the  exertion  of  my  mental 
powers. 


1777]  SHADFORD  PREACHES  109 

Jan.  16.  A  certain  person  passed  great  encomiums, 
and  sounded  my  praise  as  a  preacher  to  my  face.  But  this 
is  a  dangerous  practice ;  for  it  is  easier  for  a  preacher  to 
think  too  much  of  his  gifts  than  too  httle. 

Jan.  19.  In  preaching  at  Nathan  Perigau's,  from 
Zeph.  I.  12,  I  was  particularly  led,  in  the  close  of  the  ser- 
mon, to  address  the  younger  part  of  the  congregation,  in 
such  a  manner  as  greatly  affected  the  parents  who  were 
present. 

Jan.  21.  A  messenger  from  Mr.  Gough's  met  me  at 
the  widow  B.'s,  informing  me  that  Mr.  Rolla  and  Mr. 
George  Shadford  were  there  waiting  to  see  me.  After 
preaching  I  set  out,  and  met  my  brethren  the  same  night, 
and  found  them  inclined  to  leave  America  and  embark  for 
England.  But  I  had  before  resolved  not  to  depart  from 
the  work  on  any  consideration.  After  some  consultation 
it  was  thought  best  that  Mr.  Rolla  should  go  to  Mr. 
Rankin  and  request  his  attendance  here.  On  Thursday 
Brother  Shadford  preached  a  very  argumentative  and 
melting  sermon.  I  intended  to  have  gone  forward  on  my 
circuit,  but  was  prevented  by  the  rain. 

Jan.  26.  After  lecturing  in  Mr.  Gough's  family  I  rode 
to  the  Forks,  and  preached  there ;  then  through  rain,  and 
cold,  and  dirt  to  meet  the  congregation  at  Mr.  C.'s ;  and 
afterward  returned  to  Mr.  Gough's  and  lectured  in  the 
evening.  And  the  Lord  was  with  me,  to  support  and 
comfort  me,  through  all  the  exercises  of  the  day. 

Jan.  27.  My  spirit  was  assaulted  by  Satan,  and  felt 
itself  in  a  heavy  frame ;  but  in  the  Lord  I  have  help.  As 
Brother  George  Shadford  is  willing  to  take  this  circuit  for 
the  present,  my  intention  is  to  move  toward  Annapolis 
and  its  adjacent  parts.  May  Divine  Providence  direct 
my  steps !  I  have  had  an  agreeable  conversation  with  my 
friend  Mr.  Otterbein. 

Feb.  10.  I  went  to  the  quarterly  meeting  and  met  with 
Brother  Rolla  and  Brother  Rankin.     In  our  love  feast 


no  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1777 

several  people  were  happy,   but  my  mind  was  under  a 
cloud  aiv\  some  severe  exercises. 

Reads  Greek  and  Hebrew 

Feb.  15.  I  have  been  reading  some  of  both  Greek  and 
Hebrew ;  but  my  soul  longeth  to  feel  more  deadness  to 
everything  but  God,  and  an  increase  of  spiritual  light, 
life,  and  love.  I  now  parted  with  dear  Brother  George 
Shadford. 

Feb.  18.  It  was  a  cold  winter's  day,  but  I  rode  twenty- 
three  miles  to  Mr.  Gough's,  and  found  one  had  been 
brought  to  God  since  my  departure  the  last  time.  Several 
seemed  to  melt  while  I  was  discoursing  on  the  vision  of 
dry  bones. 

Feb.  20.  The  weather  was  exceedingly  severe,  and  I 
had  twenty-five  miles  to  ride,  which  almost  benumbed 
both  body  and  soul. 

Feb.  28.  My  heart  was  unfettered  and  quite  happy  in 
God,  while  publishing  glad  tidings  to  poor  sinners  at  Mr. 
H.'s,  from  Acts  13.  38,  39.  I  had  appointed  the  next  day 
to  enter  Annapolis,  but  a  great  snow  prevented  me. 
ATeeting  with  Brother  H.,  who  was  about  to  enter  upon 
the  circuit,  we  took  some  sweet  counsel  together  relative 
to  the  work  of  God ;  and  I  gave  him  a  plan  which  compre- 
hended the  greater  part  of  the  circuit,  reserving  for  my- 
self Annapolis  and  a  few  places  adjacent.  My  soul  is  now 
kept  in  peace  and  love. 

]\Iar.  2.  Though  the  weather  was  very  cold,  several 
members  of  the  convention  attended  to  hear  the  word  at 
the  widow  D.'s  ;  and  afterward  preached  in  the  playhouse, 
now  converted  into  a  church.  In  the  beginning  of  the 
ensuing  week,  I  was  requested  to  preach  in  the  assembly 
room,  but  some  of  the  members  opposed  it ;  so  I  returned 
to  the  play  house,  and  found  my  ideas  contracted  while 
preaching  to  a  deistical  audience,  from  Rom.  8.  7,  8. 

Mar.  13.     I  saw  a  fresh  proof  that  the  life  of  man  is 


J  777]  EVANGELICAL  COURAGE  m 

quite  uncertain  :  a  tobacco  house  was  blown  down  and 
killed  a  negro  man.  Aly  heart  was  deeply  engaged  in 
prayer,  especially  for  the  inhabitants  of  .Vnnapolis. 

]\LvR.  14.  My  natural  timidity  depressed  my  mind  at 
the  thought  of  preaching  in  Annapolis,  where  many  peo- 
ple openly  deny  the  Holy  Scriptures,  as  well  as  the  power 
of  inward  religion.  But  the  Lord  inspired  me  with  a 
degree  of  evangelical  courage,  and  I  felt  a  determination 
to  adhere  to  the  truth,  and  follow  Jesus  Christ,  if  it  should 
be  even  to  prison  or  to  death. 

Mar.  15.  Preaching  in  a  private  house  in  Annapolis,  I 
found  my  spirit  at  liberty  in  a  good  degree.  May  the  God 
of  Daniel  stand  by  me,  that  I  may  never  be  ashamed  to 
preach  the  pure  gospel,  or  even  afraid  to  suffer  for  it! 

]\LvR.  17.  Preaching  when  the  house  of  assembly  was 
adjourned,  many  of  them  came  to  hear  for  themselves. 
The  Lord  was  with  me,  and  T  found  my  heart  melted  and 
expanded  with  love  to  the  souls  of  the  people. 

Much  in  Prayer 

Mar.  22.  As  sure  as  we  draw  nigh  to  God  in  sincerity 
he  will  draw  nigh  to  us.  I  have  given  myself  to  private 
pra\er  seven  times  a  day,  and  found  my  heart  much 
drawn  out  in  behalf  of  the  preachers,  the  societies,  espe- 
cially the  new  places,  and  my  aged  parents.  And  while 
thus  exercised  my  soul  has  been  both  quickened  and 
purified.    Let  the  glory  be  given  to  God ! 

Mar.  27.  I  received  a  letter  from  Brother  Shadford, 
intimating  that,  according  to  rule,  the  time  was  drawing 
near  for  us  to  return.  But  Saint  Paul's  rule  is  that  our 
spiritual  children  shoidd  be  in  our  hearts,  to  live  and  die 
with  them  (2  Cor.  7.  2,)-  Then,  doubtless,  we  should  be 
willing  to  suffer  affliction  with  them.  May  the  Lord  g^ive 
me  wisdom  sufffcient  to  direct  me  in  this  and  every  in- 
tricate case ! 

Apr.  2.    Having  received  information  that  some  of  my 


112  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1777 

brethren  had  determined  on  their  departure,  I  wrote  to 
Brother  Shadford  that  as  long  as  I  could  stay  and  preach 
without  injuring  my  conscience  it  appeared  as  my  duty 
to  abide  with  the  flock.  But  I  must  confess  Satan  has 
harassed  me  with  violent  and  various  temptations.  How- 
ever, my  dependence  is  on  the  Lord,  that  he  will  always 
enable  me  to  do  what  is  right  in  the  sight  of  God  and  man. 
I  had  about  twenty-two  miles  to  ride  to-day,  and  to  call 
by  the  way  to  preach ;  though  both  hungry  and  weary,  yet 
my  soul  was  much  blessed  in  dispensing  the  Word. 

Breaking  the  Sabbath 

Apr.  20.  After  preaching  at  INIr.  W.'s  I  rode  about 
twenty  miles  to  lodge  with  a  friend,  but,  seeing  a  boy 
plowing  by  the  roadside,  my  conscience  smote  me  for 
breaking  the  Sabbath  by  riding  when  there  was  no  real 
necessity  for  it. 

Apr.  28.  About  two  hundred  careless-looking  people 
came  to  hear  the  Word  at  Pig  Point ;  they  seemed  entire 
strangers  to  such  a  doctrine,  so  some  laughed  and  others 
wept.  I  rode  fifty  miles  in  going  and  coming  to  preach 
that  sermon,  but  hope  it  was  not  altogether  labor  lost. 

May  7.  A  letter  came  to  hand  from  Mr.  Jarratt,  which 
gave  us  hopes  that  there  would  be  another  revival  in  Vir- 
ginia. He  also  advised  us  to  take  no  immature  steps, 
which  might  have  a  tendency  to  alter  our  plan. 

May  10.  At  Annapolis  the  congregation  was  small, 
and  so  was  my  power  to  preach.  My  soul  has  been  kept 
in  a  calm  and  comfortable  frame,  but  panting  for  more 
constant  fervor  toward  God. 

May  II.  Many  attended  at  the  widow  D.'s,  to  hear 
what  I  would  say  on  my  departure.  I  spoke  from  Acts 
13.  46,  and  many  seemed  much  affected.  The  congrega- 
tion was  also  large  at  Annapolis,  where  I  spoke  in  plain 
terms  to  the  rich  and  the  gay  on  our  Lord's  awful  account 
of  the  rich  man  an^  Lazarus.     They  behaved  well,  and 


1777]        AN  IMPORTANT  CONFERENCE  113 

some  were  desirous  to  know  if  I  intended  to  come 
again. 

May  12.  Set  out  for  our  yearly  Conference,  and  hav- 
ing preached  at  Mr.  Perigau's  by  the  way,  came  safe  to 
Mr.  Cough's,  and  was  glad  to  see  the  preachers  who  were 
there.  We  had  some  weighty  conversation  on  different 
points,  and  among  other  things  it  was  asked  whether  we 
could  give  our  consent  that  Mr.  Rankin  should  baptize, 
as  there  appeared  to  be  a  present  necessity.  But  it  was 
objected  that  this  would  be  a  breach  of  our  discipline ;  and 
it  was  not  probable  that  things  would  continue  long  in 
such  a  disordered  state.  The  next  day,  with  great  har- 
mony and  joint  consent,  we  drew  a  rough  draft  for  sta- 
tioning the  preachers  the  ensuing  year.  And  on  Friday 
we  conversed  on  the  propriety  of  signing  certificates 
avouching  good  conduct  for  such  of  the  preachers  as 
chose  to  go  to  Europe.  But  I  could  not  see  the  propriety 
of  it  at  this  time.  We  also  conversed  on  such  rules  as 
might  be  proper  for  the  regulation  of  the  preachers  who 
abide  on  the  continent.  And  it  was  judged  necessary 
that  a  committee  should  be  appointed  to  superintend  the 
whole.  And  on  Monday  we  rode  together  to  attend  the 
Conference  at  Deer  Creek. 

So  greatly  has  the  Lord  increased  the  number  of  travel- 
ing preachers  within  these  few  years  that  we  have  now 
twenty-seven  who  attend  the  circuits,  and  twenty  of  them 
were  present  at  this  Conference.  Both  our  public  and 
private  business  was  conducted  with  great  harmony, 
peace,  and  love.  Our  brethren  who  intend  to  return  to 
Europe  have  agreed  to  stay  till  the  way  is  quite  open.  I 
preached  on  the  charge  which  our  Lord  gave  his  apostles  : 
"Behold,  I  send  you  forth  as  sheep  in  the  midst  of  wolves : 
be  ye  therefore  wise  as  serpents,  and  harmless  as  doves." 
Our  Conference  ended  with  a  love  feast  and  watch-night. 
But  when  the  time  of  parting  came  many  wept  as  if  they 
had  lost  their  firstborn  sons.    They  appeared  to  be  in  the 


114       ,  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1777 

deepest  distress,  thinking,  as  I  suppose,  they  should  not 
see  the  faces  of  the  EngHsh  preachers  any  more.  This 
was  such  a  parting  as  I  never  saw  before.  Our  Confer- 
ence has  been  a  great  time,  a  season  of  uncommon  affec- 
tion. And  we  must  acknowledge  that  God  has  directed, 
owned,  and  blessed  us  in  the  work.  A  certificate,  as  men- 
tioned above,  had  been  acceded  to,  and  signed  in  the 
Conference. 

May  28.  Began  to  read  regularly  ,Mr.  Wesley's 
Notes.    I  find  them  instructive. 

Discards  His  Wig 

June  6.  I  laid  aside  my  wig,  and  began  to  use  the 
cold  bath  for  my  health ;  and  rode  as  far  as  Mrs.  R.'s, 
who  was  a  mother  in  Israel,  and  both  a  friend  and  mother 
to  me.  After  many  heavy  trials  my  soul  was  comforted, 
but  earnestly  desirous  of  more  purity  and  fellowship 
with  God. 

June  16.  We  set  out  and  rode  to  S.  T.'s,  where  we 
received  this  strange  relation :  "A  person  in  the  form  of 
a  man  came  to  the  house  of  another  in  the  night ;  the 
man  of  the  house  asked  what  he  wanted.  He  replied, 
'This  will  be  the  bloodiest  year  that  ever  was  known.' 
The  other  asked  how  he  knew.  His  answer  was,  Tt  is  as 
true  as  your  wife  is  now  dead  in  her  bed.'  He  went  back 
and  found  his  wife  dead.     But  the  stranger  disappeared." 

July  6.  There  was  a  very  serious  congregation  in  the 
forenoon,  where  I  enforced  our  Lord's  affectionate  decla- 
ration. Matt.  23.  37.  But  in  the  latter  part  of  the  day. 
about  eleven  miles  distant  from  the  other  place,  the  peo- 
ple seemed  to  be  stupid  and  inattentive.  As  I  have 
thought  bacon  was  prejudicial  to  my  health,  I  have  lately 
abstained  from  it.  and  have  experienced  the  good  effects 
of  this  economy.  My  soul  has  been  kept  in  great  purity, 
and  ardent  pantings  after  more  of  God. 

July  13.    Though  I  spoke  closely  and  plainly  at  Mrs. 


1 777]  RANKIN'S  LAST  SERMON  115 

D.'s,  yet  the  audience  did  not  seem  properly  to  understand 
me.  I  had  intended  to  preach  in  the  commons  this  after- 
noon, but  the  rain  prevented  it,  so  I  preached  to  a  few 
desirous  souls  at  Mr.  H.'s.  My  work  at  present  is  very 
heavy — it  is  chieHy  among-  unawakened  people.  I  have 
devised  what  I  could  to  bring  them  to  God,  and  know  not 
what  new  method  to  take. 

July  21.  Heard  ^Ir.  Rankin  preach  his  last  sermon. 
My  mind  was  a  little  dejected,  and  I  now  felt  some  desire 
to  return  to  England,  but  was  willing  to  commit  the  mat- 
ter to  the  Lord. 

July  24.  There  were  many  gay  and  giddy-looking 
folks  to  hear  the  Word  of  the  Lord,  and  a  few  of  them 
were  serious  and  affected.  Poor  souls !  They  are  real 
objects  of  pity.  Both'  their  education  and  the  circle  of 
their  acquaintance  have  a  tendency  to  make  them  forget 
their  latter  end,  and  to  bend  all  the  strength  of  their  minds 
to  present  objects. 

Observance  of  a  General  Fast 

July  25.  We  kept  our  general  fast  as  appointed  by 
Conference ;  and  my  soul  was  enabled  to  cast  all  its  little 
cares,  both  spiritual  and  temporal,  on  Him  that  careth  for 
me.  May  the  Lord  direct  me  how  to  act,  so  as  to  keep 
myself  always  in  the  love  of  God !  I  have  lately  been 
reading  an  account  of  Theodosius  and  his  sons,  with  sev- 
eral of  the  ancient  fathers ;  which  also  communicates 
much  information  relative  to  the  Eastern  and  Western 
empires  for  about  three  hundred  years — so  long  were 
idolatry  and  Arianism  kept  out  of  the  church  of  Christ. 
And  while  Chrysostom  was  bishop  an  Arian  church  was 
burned  at  Constantinople.  But  since  that  time  absolute, 
unconditional  predestination  has  made  its  way  into  the 
church,  which  nullifies  all  laws,  h.uman  and  divine — for 
if  men  cannot  do  otherwise  than  they  do,  why  should  any 
law  inflict  punishment  for  their  crimes?     Must  quadru- 


ii6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1777 

peds  be  punished  because  they  do  not  fly?  How  easily 
might  men,  beheving  this  doctrine,  ascribe  their  envy, 
malice,  and  most  cruel  inclinations  to  the  effect  of  divine 
predestination ;  and  conclude  that  their  most  malignant 
dispositions  were  eternally  decreed,  and  therefore  not  to 
be  conquered  but  complied  with,  though  they  should  pro- 
duce the  most  pernicious  and  destructive  consec[uences  in 
human  society. 

July  26.  Having  read  the  conqiiest  of  Rome  by  Alaric, 
and  the  rending  of  the  Western  Empire  by  the  Goths,  I 
was  led  to  observe  how  part  of  the  Revelation  of  Saint 
John  was  then  fulfilled. 

July  28.  As  the  rain  prevented  my  attending  the  ap- 
pointment, I  visited  the  jail,  and  found  an  unhappy  mortal 
under  sentence  of  death,  who  was  very  ignorant,  but  so 
susceptible  of  religious  advice  that  he  was  melted  into 
tears,  and  shook  like  a  leaf. 

Aug.  I.  I  have  now  finished  reading  sixteen  volumes 
of  the  Universal  History. 

Aug.  3.  In  the  forenoon  the  poor  rich  sinners  were  very 
attentive  in  the  schoolhouse  on  Elk  Ridge ;  and  it  is  pos- 
sible the  Lord  may  raise  a  people  among  them  to  fear  and 
love  him. 

Aug.  4.  Rode  thirty-seven  miles  to  the  Frederick 
quarterly  meeting  without  breaking  my  fast,  and  was 
under  the  necessity  of  preaching  when  I  arrived.  The 
next  day  our  meeting  began  with  a  love  feast,  and  we  had 
a  powerful,  melting  time. 

Aug.  8.  Having  visited  my  friends  in  Baltimore,  I  rode 
to  Mr.  Gough's,  met  Mr.  Rankin,  and  had  some  agreeable 
conversation  on  the  work  of  God  in  different  parts  of 
America.  Went  the  next  day  to  the  Forks,  where  I  met 
with  Brother  George  Shadford  in  great  harmony,  and 
found  divine  assistance  in  dispensing  the  Word. 

Aug.  II.  We  settled  all  our  little  affairs  in  the  spirit 
of  love,  and  Brother  Shadford  partly  agreed  to  go  with 


1777]  AN  AWFUL  STORM  117 

me  to  the  quarterly  meeting-.  lUit.  alas!  though  my  con- 
fidence in  Christ  was  not  shaken,  yet  I  felt  myself  less 
than  the  least  in  the  company,  and  unworthy  of  the  favor 
of  both  God  and  man.  How  merciful  is  God  in  giving 
us  such  abasing  views  of  ourselves,  which  have  a  power- 
ful tendency  to  drive  us  closer  to  him  and  keep  us  always 
in  the  dust ! 

Rankin  Contentiotis 

Aug.  13.  Spent  the  day  at  Mr.  G.'s,  and  after  some 
conversation  I  found  Brother  Shadford  was  not  to  go 
with  me,  because  ]\Ir.  Rankin  did  not  choose  to  spend  a 
quarter  in  Baltimore  Circuit.  Indeed,  he  has  not  taken  a 
regular  circuit  since  we  have  been  in  America;  so  I  was 
obliged  to  go  into  a  new  circuit  with  a  young  exhorter 
who  had  deserted  me  once  before.  But  all  contentions 
wound  my  spirit,  so  I  passively  submitted. 

Aug.  24.  I  was  much  fatigued  by  riding  twenty-five 
miles  and  preaching  twice.  '  A  report  that  a  British  fleet 
was  sailing  up  the  Chesapeake  Bay  has  induced  many 
people  to  quit  Annapolis.  Lord,  give  thy  people  faith  and 
patience  sufficient  for  their  day  of  trial ! 

Aug.  25.  My  soul  confided  in  God,  but  was  sweetly 
distressed  with  an  ardent  desire  for  more  complete  holi- 
ness. I  have  lately  read  Walker's  Sermons  with  much 
pleasure.  We  had  an  aw^ful  storm  this  evening  at  nine 
o'clock.  The  thunder,  lightning,  and  sweeping  winds 
were  all  in  commotion.  With  reverence  I  turned  my  mind 
on  the  dread  majesty  and  power  of  God,  wdio,  by  the  ele- 
ments in  which  we  live,  contends  wdth  man.  Such  a 
scene  as  this  was  enough  to  strike  the  boldest  sinner  with 
terror,  and  make  him  even  shudder  at  a  wicked  thought. 

Aug.  26.  T.  W.  informed  me  that  they  had  made 
choice  of  me  to  preach  in  the  Garrettson  church.  But  I 
shall  do  nothing  that  will  separate  me  from  my  brethren. 
I  hope  to  live  and  die  a  Methodist. 


ii8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1777 

Aug,  27.  Though  it  rained  I  rode  twenty-five  miles  to 
Maggotty,  but  was  tempted  and  shut  up  in  my  mind, 
while  endeavoring  to  announce,  "If  God  be  for  us,  who 
can  be  against  us?"  But  the  next  day  my  soul  was  happy 
at  Mr.  Perigau's,  and  I  admitted  four  persons  into  the 
society  on  trial.  The  militia  were  now  collecting  from  all 
quarters. 

Sept.  3.  My  soul  was  watered  with  the  peaceful  in- 
fluence of  divine  grace.  But  what  I  enjoyed  was  a 
stimulus  urging  me  to  groan  for  more.  I  spent  much  of 
my  time  in  reading  Law's  Serious  Call,  and  Baxter's  Call 
to  the  Unconverted,  and  think  the  latter  is  one  of  the  best 
pieces  of  human  composition  in  the  world  to  awaken  the 
lethargic  souls  of  poor  sinners. 

Sept.  18.  At  Mr,  W.'s  I  met  with  Brother  Samuel 
Spragg,  who  informed  me  that  the  preachers  in  Virginia 
intended  to  abide  there  a  while  longer.  Brother  Spragg 
preached  twice,  and  there  was  some  small  moving  among 
the  people. 

Sept.  22.  I  met  with  Brother  George  Shadford,  who 
informed  me  that  my  brethren,  Mr.  Rankin  and  Mr, 
Rodda,  had  left  the  continent.  So  we  are  left  alone.  But 
I  leave  myself  in  the  hand  of  God ;  relying  on  his  good 
providence  to  direct  and  protect  us ;  persuaded  that  noth- 
ing will  befall  me,  but  what  shall  conduce  to  his  glory  and 
my  benefit. 

Distressing  Times 

Oct.  13.  Commotions  and  troubles  surrounded  me 
without,  but  the  peace  of  God  filled  my  soul  within.  We 
seemed  to  be  in  a  strait ;  but  my  heart  trusteth  in  the 
Lord.  These  distressing  times  have  lately  induced  many 
people  to  pay  a  more  diligent  attention  to  the  things  of 
God.  So  I  have  hopes  that  these  temporal  troubles  will 
prepare  the  way  for  spiritual  blessings. 

Nov.  5.    After  riding  thirty-seven  miles  I  came  to  Bal- 


1777]  REDEEMING  THE  TIME  119 

timore,  but  was  very  weary,  lhou,yh  my  mind  was  calmly 
stayed  on  God. 

Nov.  7.  Went  to  Mr,  Gough's,  and  on  Saturday 
preached  on  3  John  4:  "I  have  no  greater  joy  than  to 
hear  that  my  children  w;dk  in  truth." 

Quarterly  Meeting  at  Deer  Creek 

Nov.  10.  We  set  out  for  the  quarterly  meeting  at  Deer 
Creek.  On  Tuesday  our  love  feast  began  at  ten,  and  at 
half-past  two  I  began  the  public  exercise,  from  Heb. 
13.  17,  18:  "Obey  them  that  have  the  rule  over  you,  and 
submit  yourselves :  for  they  watch  for  your  souls,  as  they 
that  must  give  account,  that  they  may  do  it  with  joy,  and 
not  with  grief :  for  that  is  unprofitable  for  you.  Pray  for 
us :  for  we  trust  we  have  a  good  conscience,  in  all  things 
willing  to  live  honestly."  The  preachers  were  stationed 
without  any  trouble,  and  all  was  done  in  harmony  and 
love. 

Nov.  12.  I  rode  back  to  Mr.  Gough's  in  order  to  attend 
a  cjuarterly  meeting  on  Curtis's  Creek.  The  Lord  has 
lately  kept  my  soul  in  tranquil  peace,  not  much  disturbed 
by  Satan.  I  now  purposed,  by  the  grace  of  God.  as  often 
as  time  will  permit,  to  read  six  chapters  every  dav  in  my 
Bible. 

Nov.  .21.  I  have  endeavored  to  improve  my  time  to  the 
best  advantage  in  reading,  and  have  seen  so  much  beauty 
in  holiness  that  I  have  thirsted  and  longed  for  more.  ^ly 
desire  is,  like  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful,  to 
maintain  a  constant  walk  with  God. 

Dec.  I.  I  left  Mr.  Gough's,  and  after  crossing  the  bay 
came  in  safety,  at  night,  to  Mr.  H.'s,  having  been  absent 
more  than  four  years,  though  I  was  the  first  of  our 
preachers  who  carried  the  gospel  into  this  neighborhood. 
My  heart  was  thankful  to  God  for  his  providential  and 
gracious  preservation  of  me.  The  next  day  I  went  to  the 
island,  and  preached  with  some  warmth,  and  then  re- 


I20  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [177S 

turned.  The  two  following  days  we  had  profitable  times 
both  in  preaching  and  class  meetings. 

Dec.  22.  I  preached  a  funeral  sermon  near  the  Nine 
Bridges,  and  met  with  a  young  minister  who  had  been  un- 
der divine  impressions ;  my  heart  at  that  time  was  much 
united  to  him,  but  he  afterward  became  a  lawyer. 

Dec.  22^.  Rode  through  Chestertown,  about  thirty 
miles,  to  Mr.  H.'s,  and  enjoyed  some  rest  from  a  part  of 
my  labor.  In  reading  Josephus  I  have  been  led  to  reflect 
on  the  disorder  and  confusion  which  have  always  over- 
spread the  earth,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  ever  since 
the  introduction  of  sin. 

Christmas  Day 

Dec.  25.  Mr.  W.  read  a  good  sermon,  suitable  to  the 
day,  at  church.  Many  people  attended  at  the  preaching 
house,  where  I  declared  from  i  Tim.  i.  15,  "This  is  a 
faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ 
Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners."  The  language 
of  my  heart  on  this  Christmas  Day  was,  "Whom  have  I 
in  heaven  but  thee?  and  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I 
desire  beside  thee." 

Jan.  I,  1778.  Though  the  weather  has  been  very  cold 
for  several  days,  I  have  had  to  ride,  sometimes  a  consid- 
erable distance,  and  preach  every  day.  This  day  I 
preached  a  funeral  sermon  on  the  death  of  a  daughter  of 
her  who  was  buried  last  Friday.  My  text  was,  "This  year 
thou  shalt  die."  Death,  like  a  cruel  conqueror,  spareth 
none  on  whom  he  seizeth,  but  sendeth  them  to  the  shades 
of  eternity  without  respect  to  age  or  condition ! 

Jan.  2.  I  experienced  much  of  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ 
shed  abroad  in  my  heart,  and  through  his  meritorious 
mediation  found  a  delightful  nearness  to  God.  Indeed,  I 
have  found  great  happiness  during  this  Christmas  season, 
and  have  endeavored  to  redeem  my  time  by  diligent  in- 
dustry.   May  the  Lord  keep  me  steadfast  and  faithful  to 


1778] 


UNDER  HEAVY  GLOOM 


the  end,  and  bless  inc  with  an  abiding  witness  that  I  love 
him  with  all  my  heart! 


THE      VILLAGE      STREET      OF      DRUMSNA,      WHERE      ROBERT 
STRAWBRIDGE   WAS   BORN. 


Jan.  II.  By  reason  of  the  snow  the  congregations  were 
small,  bnt  the  Lord  gave  us  his  blessing.  My  soul  has 
possessed  a  holy  calm ;  and  I  have  found  the  Lord  con- 
stantly w^ith  me,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree.  I  have  just 
finished  the  last  volume  of  Whiston's  Josephus,  and  am 
surprised  that,  at  the  age  of  seventy,  Mr.  Whiston  should 
spend  so  much  of  his  time  in  such  a  dry,  chronological 
work.  How  much  better  was  Mr.  Baxter  employed,  when 
he  thought  himself  near  to  eternity,  meditating  and  writ- 
ing on  the  Saint's  Rest. 

Jan.  27.  Both  my  body  and  mind  were  under  a  heavy 
gloom.  Attempting  to  preach  in  Quaker  Neck,  my  mind 
was  shut  up,  and  I  had  no  power  to  speak  to  the  people. 
This  is  very  painful  and  disagreeable,  but  it  ought  to  be 


122  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1778 

borne  with  patience.     Medicine  is  necessary  sometimes, 
as  well  as  food. 

A  Warning  Tragedy 

Feb.  4.  I  received  a  strange  account,  which  had  been 
attested  on  oath  by  the  people  who  lived  in  the  house,  but 
am  at  a  loss  to  know  what  judgment  to  pass  upon  it.  The 
fact  was  this :  A  wicked  young  fellow,  whose  friends 
countenanced  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  was  disposed,  it 
seems,  to  curse  the  preacher ;  but  being  deterred  from 
doing  it  openly,  he  went  to  the  place  of  worship,  with  a 
design  to  curse  him  in  his  heart.  It  seems  he  was  struck 
with  terror,  and  soon  after  died.  His  own  brother  said 
the  devil  pulled  his  heart  out. 

Feb.  16.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began  in  Mr.  W.'s 
barn,  and  numbers  attended  from  different  parts.  On 
Tuesday  morning  we  held  our  love  feast,  and  the  Ford 
was  with  us.  ]\Iy  heart  was  powerfully  drawn  out  in 
preaching  on  the  last  three  verses  of  the  forty-eighth 
Psalm. 

Feb.  18.  I  set  my  face  unto  the  Lord  God,  to  seek  by 
prayer  and  supplications,  with  fasting.  And  although 
Brother  Shadford  had  manifested  a  desire  to  leave  the 
continent,  he  now  agreed  to  abide  in  the  country  with  me 
a  while  longer. 

Mar.  2.  Rode  to  L  K.'s,  on  Cedar  Creek,  an  old  Pres- 
byterian, who  keeps  his  coffin  ready  made.  But  both  the 
congregation  and  the  class  seemed  very  blind  and  ignorant 
in  spiritual  things. 

Mar.  5.  My  time  was  chiefly  spent  in  prayer  and 
reading  Flavel's  and  Hartley's  works ;  though  no  book  is 
equal  to  the  Bible.  I  have  also  received  much  instruction 
and  great  blessings  of  late  in  reading  Mr.  Wesley's  works. 
There  is  a  certain  spirituality  in  his  works  which  I  can 
find  in  no  other  human  compositions.  And  a  man  who 
has  any  taste  for  true  piety  can  scarce  read  a  few  pages 


i77«]        SHADFORD  LEAVES  FOR  HOME  123 

ill  the  writing's  of  that  great  divine  without  imbibing"  a 
greater  rehsh  for  the  pure  and  simple  rehgion  of  Jesus 
Christ,  which  is  therein  so  scripturally  and  rationaUy  ex- 
plained and  defended. 

Mar.  10.  Yesterday  Samuel  Spragg  came  in  from  the 
upper  circuit,  and  to-day  both  he  and  George  Shadford 
left  me. 

Asbury's  affection  for  Shadford  was  strong.  He  had  re- 
peatedly importuned  Shadford  to  remain  with  him  in  Amer- 
ica, but  Shadford  felt  that  his  work  in  America  was  done,  and 
that  he  must  return  to  England.  This  separation  was  to  meet  no 
more.  This  same  day  officers  of  the  state  of  Maryland  de- 
manded that  Asbury  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  state, 
which  as  an  Englishman  and  a  minister  he  declined  to  do, 
being  unwilling  to  take  up  arms  against  England. 

Mar.  13.  I  was  under  some  heaviness  of  mind.  But 
it  was  no  wonder:  three  thousand  miles  from  home,  my 
friends  have  left  me,  I  am  considered  by  some  as  an 
enemy  of  the  country,  every  day  liable  to  be  seized  by 
violence  and  abused.  However,  all  this  is  but  a  trifle  to 
sufifer  for  Christ  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  Lord,  stand 
by  me ! 

Manifold  Temptations 

M.\R.  15.  My  temptations  were  very  heavy,  and  my 
ideas  were  greatly  contracted  in  preaching,  neither  was 
my  soul  happy  as  at  many  other  times.  It  requires  great 
resignation  for  a  man  to  be  willing  to  be  laid  aside  as  a 
broken  instrument.    But 

"  In  all  my  temptations 
He  keeps  me,  to  prove 
His  utmost  salvation — 
His  fullness  of  love." 

Mar.  16.  I  applied  myself  to  the  Greek  and  Latin 
Testament ;  but  this  is  not  to  me  like  preaching  the  gospel. 
However,  when  a  man  cannot  do  what  he  would,  he  must 
do  what  he  can. 


124  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1778 

Mar.  18.  To  make  the  best  of  my  time  in  this  partial 
confinement,  I  have  attended  closely  to  my  studies,  spent 
some  time  in  instructing  the  children,  and  intend  to  lec- 
ture frequently  in  the  family.  This  day  I  received  in- 
formation that  Brother  W.  was  cast  into  prison  at 
Annapolis. 

Mar.  22.  A  large  congregation  attended  at  E.  W.'s 
while  I  enforced  the  important  inquiry,  "What  shall  it 
profit  a  man  if  he  shall  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his 
own  soul?"  A  warm,  affectionate  zeal  glowed  in  my 
heart,  and  some  of  the  people  were  affected. 

Mar.  25.  Blessed  be  God  !  His  providence  hath  cast 
my  lot  in  a  quiet,  agreeable  family,  where  I  can  make  the 
best  improvement  of  my  time  in  study  and  devotion. 

Asbury  had  crossed  the  Hne  into  Delaware,  where  no  state 
oath  for  the  clergy  was  required,  and  where  he  found  a  refuge 
in  the  home  of  Judge  Thomas  White,  Chief  Judge  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  for  the  County  of  Kent.  Here  he  spent 
most  of  his  time  for  nearly  two  years. 

Mar.  27.  The  grace  of  God  is  a  sufficient  support 
while  I  bear  the  reproach  of  men,  and  am  rewarded  with 
evil  for  all  the  good  which  I  have  done,  and  desired  to 
do  for  mankind.  I  want  for  no  temporal  convenience, 
and  endeavor  to  improve  my  time  by  devotion  and  study ; 
but  all  this  cannot  give  full  satisfaction  while  it  is  not  in 
my  power  to  labor  more  for  God  in  seeking  the  salvation 
of  sovds.  But  I  am  strongly  persuaded  that  Divine  Provi- 
dence will  bring  about  a  change  before  long. 

Apr.  2.  This  night  we  had  a  scene  of  trouble  in  the 
family.  My  friend  Mr.  Thomas  White  was  taken  away, 
and  his  wife  and  family  left  in  great  distress  of  mind. 
The  next  day  I  sought  the  interposition  of  God  by  fasting 
and  prayer. 

Apr.  4.  This  was  a  day  of  much  divine  power  and  love 
to  my  soul.  I  was  left  alone,  and  spent  part  of  every  hour 
in  prayer,  and  Christ  was  near  and  very  precious. 


1778]  IN  HIDING  125 

Apr.  7.  My  soul  was  kept  in  ])cace,  and  I  spent  much 
of  my  time  in  reading  the  Bible  and  the  Greek  Testament. 
Surely  God  will  stand  by  and  deliver  me !  I  have  none 
other  on  whom  I  can  depend.  And  he  knows  with  what 
intention  and  for  what  purposes  I  came  into  this  distant 
and  strange  land,  and  what  little  I  have  suffered  for  his 
cause.  At  night  a  report  was  spread  which  inclined  me 
to  think  it  would  be  most  prudent  for  me  to  move  the  next 
day.  Accordingly,  I  set  out  after  dinner,  and  lay  in  a 
swamp  till  about  sunset,  but  was  then  kindly  taken  in  by  a 
friend.  My  soul  has  been  greatly  humbled  and  blessed 
under  these  difficulties,  and  I  thought  myself  like  some  of 
the  old  prophets,  who  were  concealed  in  times  of  public 
distress.  . 

Strong  Confidence  in  God 

Apr.  9.  I  promised  God  that  if  he  would  lift  me  up  I 
would  be  wholly  his,  and  spend  as  much  time  in  returning 
thanks  as  I  have  spent  in  seeking  his  protection — which 
has  been  some  part  of  every  hour.  My  soul  has  been  much 
comforted  in  reading  Joseph  Allein's  Letters,  which  he 
wrote  in  prison.  I  felt  strong  confidence  in  God,  that  he 
would  deliver  me ;  being  conscious  that  I  sought  neither 
riches  nor  honor,  and  that  what  I  suffered  was  for  the 
sake  of  his  spiritual  church  and  the  salvation  of  my  fellow 
men.  I  was  informed  tliat  Brother  J.  Hartley  was  appre- 
hended last  Lord's  Day  in  Queen  Anne.  May  the  Lord 
strengthen  and  support  him,  while  he  suffers  for  right- 
eousness' sake !  He  shall  be  faithfully  remembered  by 
me  in  my  addresses  to  the  throne  of  grace.  This  evening 
I  was  called  upon  to  visit  a  person  in  distress  of  mind ; 
and  the  Lord  gave  him  rest  for  his  soul.  Perhaps  Provi- 
dence cast  my  lot  in  this  place  for  the  assistance  of  this 
man. 

Apr.  10.  My  heart  was  kept  pure,  and  panting  after 
God,  though  I  was  in  some  sense  a  prisoner,  and  under 


126 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1778 


the  necessity  of  being  concealed,  rather  than  sacrifice  the 
peace  of  my  conscience  and  offend  my  God.  My  practice 
is  to  keep  close  to  God  in  prayer,  and  spend  a  part  of 
every  hour,  when  awake,  in  that  exercise.  I  have  lately 
begun  to  read  Mr.  Wesley's  Notes  again ;  and  have  al- 
ways found  both  them  and  his  Sermons  to  be  made  an 
especial  blessing  to  my  soul.  My  exercises  are  very  deep 
and  various. 


REPUTED   BIRTHPLACE  OF   ROP.ERT  STRAWBRIDGE,   DRUMSNA. 


Apr.  13.  I  formerly  thought  it  would  be  death  to  me 
to  keep  silence  from  declaring  the  Word  of  God ;  but  now 
I  am  in  a  measure  contented,  and  hope  to  see  a  day  of 
liberty  once  again.  It  appears  to  be  the  will  of  God  that 
I  should  be  silent  for  a  season,  to  prepare  me  for  further 


1778]  READING  THE  BIBLE  127 

usefulness  hereafter.     Therefore  my  time  shall  be  cm- 
ployed  to  the  best  advantage. 

Apr.  14.  I  am  not  yet  forsaken  of  all,  but  am  happy 
in  the  family  where  I  stay,  and  my  soul  is  fixed  on  God. 
I  have  a  private  chamber  for  my  asylum,  where  I  comfort 
myself  in  God  and  spend  my  time  in  prayer,  meditation, 
and  reading. 

Fasts  on  Good  Friday 

Apr.  17.  Being  Good  Friday,  I  devoted  myself  to  fast- 
ing and  prayer.  How  many  such  days  have  I  spent  in 
addressing  large  congregations  on  the  mournful  subject 
of  our  blessed  Lord's  crucifixion ;  but  am  now  deprived 
of  the  privilege  of  making  a  public  improvement  of  the 
day. 

Apr.  18.  I  labor  to  make  the  best  use  of  my  precious 
time,  and  hope  to  be  better  prepared  for  future  service  on 
earth,  or  for  eternal  service  in  heaven.  I  bear  our  dear 
suffering  friends  on  my  heart. 

Apr.  ig.  Another  solitary  Sabbath.  Ezekiel's  portion 
is  mine,  to  be  dumb  for  a  season.  But  the  Lord  gives  me 
patience,  and  supports  me  under  it.  The  family  among 
whom  my  lot  is  cast  use  me  with  great  kindness  ;  and  may 
the  Lord  show  kindness  to  them  according  to  all  that  they 
have  done  unto  me  ! 

Apr.  20.  Reading  the  Revelation,  with  Mr.  Wesley's 
Notes,  was  made  a  particular  blessing  to  my  soul ;  but  my 
conscience  checked  me  severely  for  not  reading  more  fre- 
quently that  part  of  the  sacred  canon,  seeing  such  a  bless- 
ing is  pronounced  on  them  that  read  and  understand  it. 
But  I  intend  for  the  future,  if  time  and  health  will  permit, 
to  read  one  chapter  in  it  every  day. 

Apr.  21.  I  purposed  in  my  own  mind  to  spend  ten 
minutes  out  of  every  hour,  when  awake,  in  the  duty  of 
prayer. 

Apr.  22.     I  finished  Mr.  Wesley's  Notes  on  the  New 


128  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1778 

Testament,  and  began  to  read  Doddridge's  Rise  and 
Progress  of  Religion  in  the  Soul ;  but  am  not  so  deco- 
rated with  holy  love  as  the  temple  of  God  should  be.  I 
am  reconciled  to  my  condition,  and  in  faith  and  prayer 
commit  all  events  to  my  divine  Protector.  This  is  an 
excellent  season  for  dressing  my  own  vineyard. 

Apr.  23.  God  was  near,  and  my  heart  w'as  exceedingly 
humbled  before  him.  I  finished  Doddridge,  and  was 
pleased,  instructed,  and  affected  thereby.  I  think  an 
abridgment  of  this  book  would  be  of  great  service  to  our 
societies. 

Reads  Bttnyan's  Holy  War 

Apr.  24.  I  began  reading  honest  John  Bunyan's  Holy 
War,  and  my  soul  was  kept  in  peace,  but  earnestly  de- 
sirous of  every  branch  and  degree  of  perfect  love.  Holi- 
ness is  far  preferable  to  the  greatest  wisdom. 

Apr.  26.  I  was  still  confined  and  obliged  to  keep 
silence,  but  spent  much  of  the  day  in  reading  the  Revela- 
tion, with  ]\Ir.  Wesley's  Notes  upon  it.  As  this  Revela- 
tion was  given  on  the  Lord's  Day,  what  can  be  a  more 
proper  subject  for  meditation  on  that  day?  Devoting 
much  of  my  time  to  the  exercise  of  prayer,  I  pray  fre- 
quently for  my  dear  parents  and  friends,  as  well  as  for 
myself. 

Apr.  29.  Ventured  to  leave  my  asylum,  and  under  the 
special  providence  of  God  came  safe  to  my  old  abode, 
where  I  purpose  spendmg  these  perilous  days  in  retire- 
ment, devotion,  and  study.  I  want  for  nothing  but  more 
holiness,  and  wonder  at  the  love  and  care  of  Almighty 
God  toward  such  a  dead  dog  as  I  am.  My  spirit  was 
greatly  comforted  by  Psa.   106.   10. 

May  I.  The  minds  of  the  people  are  so  confused,  and 
filled  with  the  spirit  and  troubles  of  the  times  that  it  does 
not  appear  to  me  as  if  God  required  me  to  treat  with  them 
on  spiritual  and  eternal  subjects,  till  they  can,  with  some 


1778]  IN  A  STRAIT  129 

considerate  calmness,  pay  attention  to  those  momentous 
matters. 

May  3.  i\Iy  mind  was  strangely  twisted  and  tortured, 
not  knowing  what  to  d(^.  Tt  seems  I  know  not  how  to 
fight,  nor  how  to  fly ;  but  am  persuaded  there  will  be  a 
speedy  change  in  the  wheel  of  Providence,  either  pros- 
perous or  adverse.  Others  are  now  free,  but  I  am  bound. 
Reading  at  present  no  other  books  on  the  Lord's  Days,  I 
have  lately  read  the  Revelation,  with  ^Ir.  Wesley's  Notes, 
three  times  through. 

]\Iav  II.  If  the  Lord  delivers  me  I  shall  be  bound  to 
praise  him;  if  I  have  a  thousand  hearts  and  tongues,  and 
a  million  of  years  to  live,  all  would  be  insufficient  for  pav- 
ing the  mighty  debt  of  praise.  Time,  and  language,  and 
numbers  all  fail  in  point  of  praise  and  adoration  for  the 
unmerited  mercies  of  a  gracious  God. 

jMay  14.  I  still  attend  to  prayer,  study,  and  teaching 
the  children,  but  cannot  be  fully  satisfied  without  preach- 
ing the  gospel,  which  appears  to  be  my  peculiar  province  ; 
though  I  find  more  relish  for  the  Word  of  God,  and 
greater  sweetness  in  reading  it,  than  ever  before. 

May  16.  It  may  be  observed  that  two  of  our  preachers 
have  been  apprehended,  rather  than  do  violence  to  con- 
science ;  and  the  men  by  whom  they  were  both  taken  were 
dangerously  wounded  within  a  few  weeks  after  they  had 
laid  hands  upon  them. 

May  19.  Brother  Cox  began  our  quarterly  meeting, 
and  then  I  preached  with  tender  sensibility  and  warm  af- 
fection a  humiliation  sermon,  on  Joel  2.  16-18:  "Gather 
the  people,  sanctify  the  congregation,  assemble  the  elders, 
gather  the  children,  and  those  that  suck  the  breasts :  let 
the  bridegroom  go  forth  of  his  chamber,  and  the  bride 
out  of  her  closet.  Let  the  priests,  the  ministers  of  the 
Lord,  weep  between  the  porch  and  the  altar,  and  let  them 
say.  Spare  thy  people,  O  Lord,  and  give  not  thine  heritage 
to   reproach,   that   the  heathen   should   nde  over  them: 


I30  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1778 

wherefore  should  they  say  among  the  people,  Where  is 
their  God?  Then  will  the  Lord  be  jealous  for  his  land, 
and  pity  his  people."  The  hearts  of  the  people  were 
greatly  melted  under  the  word ;  and  the  power  of  the 
Lord  was  with  us  in  the  afternoon  also.  We  were  quiet 
and  undisturbed,  and  I  hope  the  word  will  take  root  in 
the  hearts  of  some  who  were  present. 

May  21.  My  mind  was  somewhat  dissipated.  A  young 
woman,  who  had  been  awakened  by  the  instrumentality 
of  Captain  Webb,  but  deprived  of  the  means  of  grace  for 
about  four  years,  and  had  thought  she  could  never  be 
happy  unless  among  the  Methodists,  was  now  brought  to 
God  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  found  peace  in  her 
soul.  Another  person  was  also  brought  into  deep  distress 
for  an  interest  in  Christ  about  the  same  time.  Our  family 
meetings  are  now  attended  with  great  power. 

Day  for  Fasting  and  Prayer 

May  23.  I  set  this  day  apart  for  fasting  and  prayer, 
especially  in  behalf  of  Brother  Thomas  White. 

May  25.  Thomas  White  went  back  to  have  his  case 
determined.  He  left  his  family  in  much  distress  of  mind. 
I  endeavored  to  minister  some  comfort  to  them,  but  in 
respect  to  myself  everything  appeared  to  be  under  a 
cloud;  so  that  I  kn^w  not,  as  yet,  what  the  Lord  would 
be  pleased  to  do  with  me. 

June  7.  Being  Whitsunday,  I  went  to  the  barn,  weak 
as  I  was,  and  preached  on  Rom.  8.  7-9.  My  heart  was 
enlarged,  and  the  people  were  greatly  melted  and 
alarmed,  and  many  of  them  felt  the  gracious  drawings  of 
the  Father. 

June  10.  I  find  the  more  pious  part  of  the  people 
called  Quakers  are  exerting  themselves  for  the  liberation 
of  the  slaves.  This  is  a  very  laudable  design,  and  what 
the  Methodists  must  come  to,  or,  I  fear,  the  Lord  will 
depart  from  them. 


1778] 


A  PROPHET  OF  FREEDOM 


131 


June  30.  Brother  Freeborn  Garrettson  came  to  see 
me;  and  on  Friday  the  Lord  sent  ns  a  plentiful  rain  after 
the  threatening  drought. 


FREEBORN    GARRETTSON. 


Garrettson  had  been  received  on  trial  at  the  Conference  of 
1776  and  appointed  to  Frederick  Circuit.  This  was  the  begin- 
ning of  a  "  ministerial  career  which  was  to  extend  over  more 


132  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1778 

than  half  a  century  and  to  leave  historical  and  ineffaceable 
traces  on  the  church  from  North  Carolina  to  Nova  Scotia" 
(Stevens's  History  of  American  Methodism,  p.  124,  ff.). 

July  i8.  I  laid  a  plan  for  myself  to  travel  and  preach 
nine  days  in  two  weeks.  This  was  one  step  toward  my 
former  regularity  in  what  appears  to  me  as  my  duty,  my 
element,  and  my  delight.  On  the  Lord's  Day  I  met  a 
class  in  the  morning,  and  then  preached  twice,  with 
earnestness  and  affection,  to  large,  attentive,  and  serious 
congregations.  My  spirit  was  afterward  refreshed  in  the 
company  of  some  of  my  old  friends. 

July  23.  Went  ahout  twenty  miles  to  preach  at  one 
T d's.  in  Sussex ;  there  were  about  two  hundred  peo- 
ple who  appeared  to  be  kind  and  willing  to  receive  in- 
struction, and  I  was  enabled  to  fix  their  attention,  though 
they  were  ignorant  and  wild.  I  then  rode  ten  miles  on  m> 
M^ay  back  to  visit  John  Beck,  who  was  in  deep  distress  of 
soul.  On  Saturday  my  mind  was  sweetly  stayed  on  God, 
after  riding  about  fifty  miles  since  Thursday,  seeking  to 
bring  poor  wandering  souls  to  the  fold  of  Christ.  I  hope 
to  travel  and  preach  as  long  as  I  live. 

July  29.  We  had  a  lecture  in  the  evening  at  Thomas 
White's,  and  the  hearts  of  some  were  moved  and  melted 
by  the  power  of  God.  I  begin  to  think  it  is  my  duty  to 
abide  for  a  season  in  this  state,  and  have  great  hopes  that 
the  Lord  will  pour  out  his  Spirit  and  favor  us  with  a  re- 
vival of  pure  and  vital  piety. 

Safeguarding  the  People 

Aug.  9.  Having  been  informed  that  some  of  the  people 
were  in  danger  of  being  led  aside  by  impressions  and 
dreams,  and  a  weak-headed  man  having  already  drawn 
off  a  few  simple  souls.  I  thought  it  expedient  to  urge  upon 
them  Isa.  8.  20:  "To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony:  if  they 
speak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  there  is  no 
light  in  them."    While  in  theory,  experience,  and  practice 


1778]  DREAMS  AND  VISIONS  133 

we  keep  close  to  the  written  Word  of  (}o(l  we  are  safe. 
And  if  an  ang'el  from  licavcn  preach  any  other  gospel, 
saith  Saint  Paul,  "let  him  be  accursed"  (Gal.  i.  8). 
Dreams  may  arise  from  various  causes,  and  even  dia- 
bolical impressions  may  sometimes  resemble  those  made 
by  the  Spirit  of  God.  And  it  is  evident  that  all  such  im- 
pressions as  have  a  tendency  to  effect  divisions,  to  inter- 
rupt the  peace  of  the  church,  to  draw  us  off  from  any 
revealed  duty,  or  to  make  us  contented  in  a  lukewarm  and 
careless  state,  cannot  come  from  God,  because  they  are 
contrary  to  the  revealed  dictates  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and 
the  Spirit  of  truth  cannot  contradict  itself.  Therefore  all 
impressions,  dreams,  visions,  etc.,  should  be  brought  to 
the  standard  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  if  they  do  not 
perfectly  correspond  therewith  they  should  be  rejected. 

Unable  to  Preach 

Sept.  6.  I  am  still  unable  to  preach  the  glad  tidings  of 
salvation  to  my  fellow  men.  And  my  mind  has  been 
variously  exercised  through  the  past  week:  sometimes 
grieved  at  spending  my  time  to  so  little  purpose,  at  other 
times  deeply  engaged  for  more  inward  religion,  and  for 
more  of  God. 

Sept.  15.  This  was  a  day  of  peculiar  temptations.  My 
trials  were  such  as  I  do  not  remember  to  have  experienced 
before ;  and  for  some  time  it  seemed  as  if  I  scarcely  knew 
whether  to  fight  or  fly.  My  usefulness  appeared  to  be  cut 
off;  I  saw  myself  pent  up  in  a  corner,  my  body  in  a  man- 
ner worn  out,  my  English  brethren  gone,  so  that  I  had 
no  one  to  consult,  and  every  surrounding  object  and  cir- 
cumstance wore  a  gloomy  aspect.  Lord,  must  I  thus  pine 
away,  and  quench  the  light  of  Israel  ?  No ;  though  he 
slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  him. 

Oct.  I.  My  heart  was  much  devoted  to  Him  who  de- 
voted himself  to  death  for  me.  Peace  and  purity  were  my 
agreeable  companions ;  and  I  saw  the  indispensable  need 


134  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [177b 

of  perpetual  watching,  and  "Looking  unto  Jesus  the 
author  and  finisher  of  our  faith,  who  for  the  joy  that 
was  set  before  him  endured  the  cross,  despising  the 
shame,  and  is  set  down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne 
of  God."  Endured  the  cross! — despised  the  shame! 
And  shall  the  disciple  desire  to  be  above  his  master? 
Shall  I  ever  shun  the  cross,  or  dread  the  shame?  God 
forbid ! 

Oct.  2.  I  preached  a  funeral  sermon  on  Nanticoke 
River,  and  we  had  a  very  solemn  season. 

Expels  Disorderly  Members 

Oct.  30.  I  put  the  society  in  some  order  at  L.'s,  turn- 
ing out  the  disorderly  members,  which  always  are  a 
weight  and  a  curse  to  any  religious  community.  Saint 
Paul  said  to  the  Corinthians  (though  alluding  to  only  one 
disorderly  person  among  them),  "Know  ye  not  that  a 
little  leaven  leavencth  the  whole  lump?"  (i  Cor.  5.  6.) 
And  the  anger  of  the  Lord  was  kindled  against  Israel,  for 
the  covetousness  of  Achan,  who  then  dwelt  among  them 
(Josh.  7,  i).  And  who  can  tell  how  often  the  Lord  is 
displeased  with  his  church  for  the  wickedness  of  some  of 
its  members?  No  doubt  but  this  frequently  checks  the 
spiritual  progress  of  the  righteous,  especialh  if  ungodly 
members  are  known  and  not  dealt  with  according  to  the 
gospel.  I  spoke  plainly  and  closely  to  the  people,  and 
there  was  some  moving  of  the  Holy  Spirit  among  them. 

Nov.  I.  After  I  had  preached  a  funeral  sermon,  at 
which  the  hearts  of  many  were  powerfully  wrought  upon, 
I  returned  to  Thomas  White's,  making  twenty  miles  in 
the  whole,  and  lectured  in  the  evening ;  and  then  lay  me 
down  and  slept  in  peace. 

Nov.  5.  I  rode  to  Quantico,  and  found  no  want  of  any- 
thing there  but  religion.  I  then  returned  to  Sussex,  and 
found  my  spirit  at  liberty  in  preaching  to  those  untaught 
people,  who  behaved  with  seriousness  and  attention. 


1778]  ABUNDANT  PRAYER  135 

Nov.  9.  I  rode  to  Thomas  White's,  and  cannot  help  es- 
teeming his  house  as  my  temporary  home,  though  I  meet 
with  more  spiritual  trials  than  in  constant  traveling. 

Nov.  14.  I  have  spent  this  week  in  reading  and  private 
exercises,  and  have  been  much  indisposed  in  my  body. 
But,  glory  to  God !  I  have  been  favored  with  some  access 
to  his  gracious  presence,  and  felt  strong  desires  to  be 
abased  as  in  the  dust  before  him. 

Nov^  15.  This  morning  I  felt  very  ill,  but  ventured  to 
set  out  for  my  appointment,  twenty  miles  off,  and  found 
both  my  body  and  mind  strengthened  far  beyond  my 
expectation. 

Nov.  19.  Having  had  much  time  on  my  hands,  I  have 
endeavored  to  improve  it  by  enriching  my  understanding 
with  religious  knowledge,  and  by  frequent,  earnest  prayer 
to  Almighty  God,  that  he  may  enrich  my  heart  with  all 
the  graces  of  his  Holy  Spirit. 

Dec.  3.  Under  some  groundless  apprehensions  I  set 
out  for  Somerset.  My  soul  poured  out  abundant  prayer 
by  the  way ;  and  the  Lord,  by  his  providence,  conducted 
me  in  safety. 

Dec.  8.  After  my  little  excursion  to  Broad  Creek  and 
its  adjacent  parts  I  returned,  and  notwithstanding  all  the 
foreboding  apprehensions  of  my  mind  no  person  offered 
me  the  smallest  insult. 

Work  Circumscribed 

Dec.  18.  My  labors  are  still  in  some  measure  circum- 
scribed, so  that  I  generally  preach  or  exhort  but  about 
three  times  a  week.  But  for  twenty  months  before  these 
troublesome  times  fully  came  I  foresaw  the  probability  of 
them,  and  was  much  stirred  up  to  rely  upon  God  and  pre- 
pare for  the  worst.  There  is  now  an  appointment  for  me 
to  go  to  Kent;  in  Delaware,  and  my  hope  is  that  the  Lord 
will  fortify  and  bless  me  in  my  labors. 

Dec.  25.     This  being  the  day  for  commemorating  the 


136  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

Saviour's  birth,  I  preached  at  E.  W.'s  with  much  inward 
freedom,  though  the  audience  were  not  greatly  moved. 

I  have  lately  begun  to  read,  for  the  first  time,  Mr. 
Hervey's  celebrated  Dialogues ;  and  cannot  but  observe 
his  labored  endeavors  to  establish  the  doctrine  of  "the 
imputed  righteousness  of  Christ."  He  seems  to  make  it 
eqvial  at  least  to  the  two  grand  commands  of  our  Lord. 
And  why  not  supersede  them?  But  Providence  has 
brought  forth  that  eminent  man,  Mr.  John  Fletcher,  to 
manage  this  subject,  whose  language  appears  to  be  more 
natural,  and  less  studied  than  Mr.  Hervey's,  and  yet  in 
no  respect  inferior ;  and  his  arguments  are  incontestable, 
carrying  their  own  conviction  with  them.  But  of  this  let 
the  public  judge. 

Dec.  29.  Lhave  generally  read  of  late  about  a  hundred 
pages  a  day,  in  Hervey's  Dialogues,  the  Lives  of  Gilbert, 
Harper,  Langton,  Brainerd,  etc.  But,  alas !  how  is  my 
soul  abased.  It  is  my  deliberate  opinion  that  I  do  the 
least  good  in  the  church  of  Christ  of  any  that  I  know  and 
believe  to  be  divinely  moved  to  preach  the  gospel.  How 
am  I  displeased  with  myself !  Lard,  in  mercy  help,  or  I 
am  undone  indeed ! 

New  Year  Meditations 

Jan.  I,  1779.  A  living  miracle  of  divine  mercy,  I  am 
brought  to  the  beginning  of  another  year.  How  many  of 
my  friends  are  gone  to  eternity  the  past  year,  while  I  am 
spared  amid  temptations  and  afflictions  of  various  kinds  ! 
I  humbly  hope,  upon  the  whole,  I  am  more  spiritual ;  but 
O,  how  unfruitful  and  unprofitable !  This  year  seems  to 
open  with  forebodings  of  uncommon  distress.  Lord,  pre- 
pare me  for  every  event  of  thy  providence  !  My  own  soul 
Avas  much  affected,  and  there  appeared  to  be  a  concern 
among  the  people  while  preaching  to-day  at  L.'s.  Blessed 
be  God !  my  soul  has  intimate  access  to  Jesus,  and  is  much 
quickened. 


1779]        ASBURY'S  FAVORITE  SUBJECT  137 

Jan.  2.  I  reached  my  circuit  in  Kent,  and  preached  on 
my  favorite  subject:  "This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and 
worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners ;"  and  there  appeared  to  be  some 
meltings  of  heart  among  the  people.  Upon  mature  reflec- 
tion, I  do  not  repent  my  late  voluntary  retirement.  Not- 
withstanding all  my  afflictions  and  fears,  I  entertain  a 
hope  that  after  the  people  have  been  tried  and  humbled 
by  their  present  calamities  the  Lord  will  yet  visit  and 
bless  them  with  spiritual  light,  purity,  and  consolation. 
Already  I  am  informed  that  there  is  a  gracious  work 
going  on  in  Sussex,  in  Delaware,  and* in  Accomac  and 
Northampton  Counties,  in  Virginia. 

Wesley's  Sermons 

Jan.  4.  Being  prevented  from  traveling,  by  a  heavy 
fall  of  snow,  I  finished  the  reading  of  the  second  volume 
of  Mr.  Wesley's  Sermons,  which  I  began  on  Saturday, 
and  they  were,  as  usual,  made  a  peculiar  blessing  to  my 
soul. 

Jan.  6.  I  ended  the  first  volume  of  Prideaux's  Con- 
nection, and  had  a  clear  view  of  the  state  of  the  nations 
at  the  different  periods  of  the  church  of  God,  a  just  view 
of  which  is  highly  necessary  for  the  understanding  of  the 
prophecies.  The  revolutions  of  kingdoms  have  been  won- 
derful in  all  ages,  and  it  ought  not  to  be  thought  strange 
if  they  should  be  so  now.  But  in  all  the  various  turns  of 
divine  providence  God  had,  and  still  has,  spiritual  ends, 
and  the  welfare  of  his  church,  in  view. 

The  full  title  of  this  work  which  Asbury  read  with  much  in- 
terest is:  "  Connection  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  in  the 
History  of  the  Jews,  and  Neighboring  Nations,  from  the  De- 
clension of  the  Kingdoms  of  Israel  and  Judah  to  the  Time  of 
Christ." 

Jan.  7.  In  reading  the  second  volume  of  Prideaux  I 
was  struck  with  the  exact  fulfillment  of  Daniel's 
prophecy:    "The  seventy  weeks  being  divided  into  three 


138  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

periods,  that  is,  into  seven,  sixty-two,  and  one  week,  the 
first  reacheth  from  the  time  of  the  going  forth  of  the  com- 
mandment to  Ezra,  for  the  restoring  of  the  church  and 
the  state  of  the  Jews,  in  the  seventh  year  of  Artaxerxes 
Longimanus,  to  the  finishing  of  that  work  by  Nehemiah, 
forty-nine  years  after ;  the  second,  from  the  end  of  that 
period  to  four  hundred  and  thirty-four  years  after,  at 
which  time  the  Messiah  appeared  in  the  ministry  of  John ; 
and  the  last,  from  that  of  his  thus  appearing  to  his  being 
cut  off  by  his  death  on  the  cross,  which  was  one  week,  or 
seven  years ;  and  all  these  put  together  fully  make  up 
seventy  weeks,  or  four  hundred  and  ninety  years  of  this 
prophecy.  And,  according  to  this  computation,  every  par- 
ticular of  it  hath  been  fully  verified  in  a  completion  ex- 
actly agreeable  thereto,  and  the  whole  number  of  years 
pointed  out  thereby  exactly  answered  to  a  month ;  for  as 
the  going  out  of  the  commandment  to  Ezra,  from  whence 
they  began,  was  in  the  month  of  Nisan,  so  the  cruci- 
fixion of  Christ  was  also  in  the  same  month,  just  four 
hundred  and  ninety  years  after."  This  day  my  heart  was 
kept  in  peace.    My  soul  shall  make  her  boast  in  the  Lord. 

Difficulties  of  the  Itinerancy 

Jan.  13.  Li  many  circuits  the  preachers  have  hardly 
an  opportunity  of  reading  their  Bibles,  much  less  any- 
thing else.  A  great  part  of  the  day  is  taken  up  in  riding, 
preaching,  and  meeting  the  classes ;  and  very  often  at 
night  there  is  a  large  family,  but  one  room  for  all,  and 
sometimes  no  candle ;  so  that  I  think  it  would  be  well, 
under  such  circumstances,  if  the  preachers  could  have 
one  spare  day  in  every  week  for  the  purpose  of  improving 
themselves. 

Jan.  16.  I  am  now  reading  the  third  volume  of 
Prideaux,  and  find  it  both  entertaining  and  instructive. 
I  still  go  on  to  enforce  the  education  of  children,  and 
family  duties. 


17  79]  HERVEY'S  DIAL(3GUES  139 

Jan.  24.  At  the  widow  Jackson's  1  enforced  Gen. 
18.  19:  "I  know  him,  that  lie  will  command  his  children 
and  his  household  after  him,  and  they  shall  keep  the  way 
of  the  Lord,  to  do  justice  and  judgment;  that  the  Lord 
ma}'  bring  upon  Abraham  that  which  he  hath  spoken  of 
him."  In  the  evening  I  opened  and  applied  Ezek.  36.  25, 
with  light  and  liberty,  and  the  congregation  felt  the 
weight  of  the  Word. 

Jan.  26.  I  spent  much  of  my  time  in  reading  the  third 
volume  of  Mr.  Hervey's  Dialogues.  I  like  his  philosophy 
better  than  his  divinity.  However,  if  he  is  in  error  by 
leaning  too  much  to  imputed  righteousness,  and  in  danger 
of  superseding  our  evangelical  works  of  righteousness, 
some  are  also  in  danger  of  setting  up  self-righteousness, 
and,  at  least,  of  a  partial  neglect  of  an  entire  dependence 
on  Jesus  Christ.  Our  duty  and  salvation  lie  between  these 
extremes.  We  should  so  work  as  if  we  were  to  be  saved 
by  the  proper  merit  of  our  works ;  and  so  rely  on  Jesus 
Christ,  to  be  saved  by  his  merits  and  the  divine  assistance 
of  his  Holy  Spirit,  as  if  we  did  no  works,  nor  attempted 
anything  which  God  hath  commanded.  This  is  evidently 
the  gospel  plan  of  man's  salvation :  Saint  Paul  says  in  one 
place,  "By  grace  are  ye  saved,  through  faith;  and  that 
not  of  yourselves :  it  is  the  gift  of  God."  In  another  place 
the  same  apostle  saith,  "Work  out  your  ov/n  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling."  But  some,  who  see  the  danger 
of  seeking  to  be  justified  by  the  deeds  of  the  law,  turn  all 
their  attention  to  those  passages  of  Scripture  which  as- 
cribe our  salvation  to  the  grace  of  God ;  and  to  avoid  the 
rock  which  they  discover  on  the  right  hand,  they  strike 
against  that  which  is  equally  dangerous  on  the  left,  by 
exclaiming  against  all  conditions  and  doings,  on  the  part 
of  man ;  and  so  make  void  the  law  through  faith — as  if  a 
beggar  could  not  cross  the  street,  and  open  his  hand  (at 
the  request  of  his  benefactor)  to  receive  his  bounty,  with- 
out a  meritorious  claim  to  what  he  is  about  to  receive. 


I40  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

What  God  hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put  asunder. 
And  he  having  joined  salvation  by  grace,  with  repentance, 
prayer,  faith,  self-denial,  love,  and  obedience,  whoever 
putteth  them  asunder  will  do  it  at  his  peril.  But  it  is 
likewise  true  that  others  who  see  the  danger  of  this,"  in 
order,  as  they  imagine,  to  steer  clear  of  it,  go  about  to 
establish  their  own  righteousness ;  and  although  they 
profess  to  ascribe  the  merit  of  their  salvation  to  Jesus 
Christ,  yet  think  they  cannot  fail  of  eternal  life,  because 
they  have  wrought  many  good  deeds  of  piety  toward  God, 
and  of  justice  and  mercy  toward  man;  and  they  would 
think  it  incompatible  with  divine  justice  to  sentence  them 
to  eternal  punishment  for  what  they  call  the  foibles  of 
human  nature,  after  having  lived  so  moral  and  upright  a 
life.  Happy  the  man  who  so  studies  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
his  own  heart,  and  the  plan  of  salvation,  and  daily  prays 
with  such  earnest  sincerity  to  Almighty  God,  as  to  see 
that  neither  faith  without  works,  nor  works  v^^ithout  that 
faith  which  justifies  the  ungodly,  will  suffice  in  the  awful 
day  of  universal  retribution  ! 

Tidings  of  Great  Troubles 

Jan.  28.  We  had  tidings  of  great  troubles  in  the  South 
as  well  as  the  North.  The  gathering  cloud  seemed  to 
lower  and  threaten  with  great  severity.  O  my  God !  I 
am  thine:  and  all  the  faithful  are  thine.  Mercifully  inter- 
pose for  the  deliverance  of  our  land,  and  for  the  eternal 
salvation  of  all  that  put  their  trust  in  thee.  At  present 
my  way  is  measurably  hedged  in  by  Providence ;  but  the 
time  may  come  when  I  shall  be  useful  in  the  church  of 
Christ.  This  would  afford  me  more  satisfaction  than  all 
the  riches  of  the  East,  with  all  the  pomp  and  grandeur  of 
empires,  and  all  the  pleasures  that  can  gratify  both  the 
imagination  and  the  flesh. 

Feb.  I.  My  conscience  smote  me  severely  for  speaking 
an  idle  word  in  company.     It  is  very  difficult  for  me  to 


1779]      ASBURY'S  TENDER  CONSCIENCE  141 

check  my  rapid  flow  of  spirits  when  in  company  with 
my  friends.  The  tongue  is  an  unrul\  member.  He  that 
can  on  all  occasions  govern  his  tongue  will  have 
power  sufficient  to  keep  his  whole  body  in  religious 
subjection. 

This  day  our  quarterly  meeting  began,  and  my  heart 
was  expanded  in  preaching  to  about  seven  hundred  peo- 
ple, on  Heb.  2.  2.  I  entertain  great  hopes  that  we  shall 
see  a  gracious  revival  of  religion.  The  Lord  knoweth 
that,  next  to  my  own  salvation,  this  is  my  chief  concern, 
and  all  my  interest  in  America,  or  in  the  whole  world.  I 
desire  to  live  only  for  this. 

Preachers  and  People  Quickened 

Feb.  2.  Our  love  feast  began  at  nine,  and  public  wor- 
ship at  twelve  o'clock.  The  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
were  very  powerful  in  the  congregation ;  so  that  there 
was  a  general  melting,  and  among  the  young  people  there 
were  outcries  and  deep  distress.  Here  was  a  blessed 
prospect.  God  is  gracious  beyond  the  power  of  language 
to  describe.  Both  preachers  and  people  were  exceedingly 
quickened.  The  public  labors  of  the  day  were  too  much 
for  my  feeble  frame. 

Feb.  13.  Having  seen  some  good  appearances  at  two 
or  three  places,  I  returned  to  my  lodgings,  but  found,  as 
usual,  that  heav\'  crosses  are  to  be  borne  here.  Upon  the 
whole,  it  appears  sufficiently  clear  that  God  has  other 
work  for  me  to  do,  and  that  I  nuist  not  abide  here.  If  he 
graciously  intends  me  for  more  extensive  service  in  his 
church,  may  he  be  pleased  to  open  my  way,  and  make  it 
plain  before  me ! 

^Iar.  I.  I  have  of  late,  for  the  most  part,  had  liberty  in 
preaching,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  has  been  with  me ; 
and  from  luy  various  and  peculiar  exercises  I  am  strongly 
impressed  with  a  persuasion  that  the  Lord  is  preparing 
me  for  future  service.     But,  alas !  what  cause  for  shame, 


142  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

on  account  of  my  great  unfaithfulness !  This  present  Hfe 
may  be  well  compared  to  a  tempestuous  ocean :  sometimes 
the  fair  wind  of  prosperity  blows  a  fresh  gale  ;  at  other 
times  the  cross  wind  of  adversity  rages  and  threatens  a 
hurricane.  How  difficult  it  is,  in  the  midst  of  such  oppos- 
ing diversity,  to  pay  proper  attention  to  the  divine  com- 
pass, and  still  pursue  the  right  course ! 

Mar.  14.  I  have  lately  been  reading  Watson's  Body 
of  Divinity.  The  general  drift  of  it  does  not  comport  with 
my  sentiments,  yet  it  contains  many  good  things.  I  had 
a  mind  to  abridge  his  two  sermons  on,  "Lead  us  not  into 
temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil." 

Mar.  2"].  A  remarkable  instance  occurred  of  the 
watchful  care  of  God  over  his  people.  Air.  Pedicord 
went  to  bed,  but  could  not  sleep,  though  he  tried  again 
and  again.  At  last  he  was  obliged  to  rise,  and  going 
downstairs  with  the  man  of  the  house  he  found  the  house 
on  fire. 

Drawn  Oat  in  Prayer 

Mar.  28.  Aly  mind  was  much  drawn  out  in  prayer,  and 
I  believe  I  have  not  spent  more  time  in  this  exercise  for 
many  years  past,  if  ever,  than  I  do  now.  But  my  mind 
has  been  much  perplexed  about  wandering  thoughts  in 
prayer,  though  Mr.  Wesley's  deep  and  judicious  discourse 
on  that  subject  has  afl'orded  me  no  small  satisfaction.  He 
hath  both  shown  the  causes  of  those  thoughts  which  are 
not  sinful,  and  incontestably  proves  that  they  contract  no 
guilt.  Yet  a  devout  and  tender  mind  must  be  grieved  to 
find  any  kind  of  temptation  in  that  sublime  exercise 
wherein  the  whole  soul  desires  to  be  employed.  This  day 
I  preached  at  E.  White's.  I  am  strongly  persuaded  in 
my  own  mind  that  I  have  stayed  in  these  parts  too  long. 
A  black  man,  who  had  been  liberated  by  Mr.  Blades,  gave 
such  an  extraordinary  account  of  the  work  of  God  in  his 
soul,  and  withal  displayed  such  gifts  in  public  exercises, 


1779]  A  QUIET  RETREAT  143 

that  it  ajjpcars  as  if  the  Lord  was  preparing  him  for 
pecuHar  usefnhiess  to  the  people  of  his  own  color.  Let 
the  Lord  choose  his  own  instruments,  and  send  by  whom 
he  will. 

Mar.  30.  Several  of  my  friends  came  to  take  their 
leave,  and  see  the  last  of  me  for  the  present.  They  mani- 
fested great  affection ;  and  well  they  might,  if  they  knew 
how  much  I  had  suffered  among  them.  The  next  day  I 
set  off,  and  on  my  journey  I  gradually  recovered  my 
spirits.  Meeting  with  a  man  on  the  road,  I  began  to  speak 
to  him  about  the  things  of  God,  and  saw  how  Providence 
had  brought  it  about,  for  the  Lord  had  reached  his  heart 
the  night  before.  I  advised  him  to  be  diligent  and  faith- 
ful, and  so  left  him.  I  then  rode  on  to  Brother  Shaw's, 
where  I  heard  agreeable  news.  Peradventure  there  is 
something  for  which  the  Lord  hath  prepared  me,  by 
bringing  me  through  the  fire  and  water. 

Apr.  I.  My  soul  was  much  blessed,  and  there  was  a 
great  melting  among  the  people,  w'hile  I  spoke  strong 
words  on  the  subject  of  sanctification.  The  believers 
were  greatly  quickened,  and  in  class  meeting  we  had  much 
of  the  power  of  God.  I  live  in  great  hopes  of  doing  good 
in  this  journey. 

Apr.  2.  I  had  an  interview  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  McGaw, 
a  kind,  sensible,  friendly  minister  of  the  Episcopal 
Church.  I  then  returned  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Shaw,  my 
quiet  retreat  for  the  present ;  and  here  I  hope  to  spend  my 
little  leisure  in  peaceable  converse  with  God  and  divine 
subjects.  ]\Iy  soul  longs  to  be  quite  complete  in  the 
image  of  God. 

Apr.  4.  I  breakfasted  with  a  Presbyterian  minister, 
and  endeavored  to  answer  some  objections  which  he 
started,  but  could  not  attempt  a  vindication  of  those 
among  us  who  had  dipped  deep  in  politics. 

Apr.  16.  My  greatest  trouble  is  that  I  am  not  more 
holv.     My  soul  is  constantlv  humble  within  me  on  this 


144  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

account.  I  visited  the  Rev.  Mr.  .McGaw,  and  presented 
him  Mr.  Fletcher's  Checks,  at  the  same  time  opening  to 
his  view  the  whole  plan  of  Methodism.  He  treated  me 
with  exceeding  great  kindness ;  and  I  spent  some  time 
very  agreeably  in  his  comjDany.  The  people  of  these  parts 
(the  most  wealthy  not  excepted)  are,  for  the  most  part, 
very  courteous  and  friendly.  Surely  the  Lord  will  raise 
up  for  himself  a  body  of  faithful  witnesses  among  them. 
Sundry  persons  of  respectability  attend  my  feeble  exer- 
cises in  public,  and  express  satisfaction.  But  shall  this 
satisfy,  or  lift  me  up  ?    God  forbid  ! 

Apr.  27.  Yesterday  and  to-day  we  held  a  quarterly 
meeting  near  Dover.  A  great  concourse  of  people  at- 
tended the  ministry  of  the  Word,  and  many  serious  per- 
sons were  present  at  our  love  feast. 

Conference  at  White's 

Apr.  28.  Our  Conference  for  the  northern  stations  be- 
gan at  Thomas  White's.  All  our  preachers  on  these  sta- 
tions were  present,  and  united.  We  had  much  prayer, 
love,  and  harmony,  and  we  all  agreed  to  walk  by  the  same 
rule,  and  to  mind  the  same  thing.  As  we  had  great 
reason  to  fear  that  our  brethren  to  the  southward  were  in 
danger  of  separating  from  us,  we  wrote  them  a  soft, 
healing  epistle.  On  these  northern  stations  we  have  now 
about  seventeen  traveling  preachers.  We  appointed  our 
next  Conference  to  be  held  in  Baltimore  town  the  last 
Tuesday  in  April  next. 

Two  Conferences  were  held  this  year,  this  one  at  Judge 
White's,  and  another  at  Fluvanna  some  days  later.  Asbury's 
fear  that  there  might  be  a  separation  was  realized,  the  Con- 
ference determining,  notwithstanding  the  influence  of  Wat- 
ters,  who  had  been  president  of  the  Conference  the  preceding 
year,  and  who  was  commissioned  to  carcy  the  "healing  epis- 
tle," to  administer  the  sacraments  henceforth.  Had  Asbury 
not  exercised  great  tact  this  first  schism  might  have  proved 
disastrous. 


1779]  PUBLIC  FAST  DAY  145 

May  3.  Yesterday  \vc  had  some  melting:  under  the 
Word,  at  the  house  of  E.  White,  and  to-day  I  wrote  io 
John  Dickins,  to  Philip  Gatch,  Edward  Dromgoole,  and 
William  Glendenning,  urging  them,  if  possible,  to  prevent 
a  separation  among  the  preachers  in  the  South,  that  is, 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  And  I  entertain  great 
hope  that  the  breach  will  be  healed ;  if  not,  the  conse- 
quences may  be  bad.  I  am  now  reading  Edwards  on  the 
Affections.  Excepting  the  small  vein  of  Calvinism  which 
runs  through  this  book,  it  is  a  very  good  treatise,  and 
worthy  the  serious  attention  of  young  professors.  I  have 
now  been  about  thirteen  years  employed  in  the  work  of 
God  as  a  traveling  minister ;  and  upon  a  review,  I  have 
cause  to  be  ashamed,  but,  at  the  same  time,  great  reason 
to  be  thankful  that  I  have  not  yet  grown  weary,  and  hum- 
bly hope  I  never  shall,  while  able  to  travel  at  all. 

May  4.  My  conscience  smote  me  severely  for  lying  in 
bed  till  six  o'clock  this  morning,  no  indisposition  of  bodv 
being  the  cause.  O,  why  should  we  lose  one  hour,  when 
time  is  so  short  and  precious,  and  so  many  things  to  be 
learned  and  taught. 

The  Work  of  God  in  America 

May  8.  Yesterday  being  a  public  fast  day.  we  had  a 
large  congregation,  and  a  solemn  time,  while  I  preached 
on  the  fast  of  the  Ninevites.  I  found  about  forty  in 
society  at  the  Drawbridge.  Thus  it  pleaseth  the  Lord  to 
work,  and  who  shall  hinder  him?  In  the  most  trouble- 
some times  he  can  build  up  the  walls  of  Jerusalem.  I 
thought  for  some  time  that  it  would  have  been  much  bet- 
ter for  the  work  of  God  in  America  if  Brother  Shad- 
ford  had  stayed  ;  but  the  Lord  ruleth  over  all,  and  he 
ruleth  for  the  best.  Many  faithful,  zealous  men  are 
raised  up  for  the  work  in  the  states,  who  only  want  a 
little  instruction,  and  they  are  ready  to  spend  and  be 
spent  for  souls. 


146  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

June  2^.  Preached  at  a  new  place,  in  a  meadow,  to 
about  one  hundred  people,  who  were  wild  enough ;  after 
preaching,  had  to  ride  twelve  miles  for  my  dinner.  In 
this  our  labor  we  have  to  encounter  hunger,  heat,  and 
many  restless  nights  with  mosquitoes,  unwholesome  pro- 
visions, and  bad  water.  But  all  this  is  for  souls ;  were  it 
for  silver,  I  should  require  a  great  sum ;  but  the  Lord  is 
not  unrighteous  to  forget  our  labor  of  love,  and  our  re- 
ward is  with  him. 

Heat  too  Great  for  Study 

June  24.  I  find  the  heat  of  the  weather  too  great  for 
close  study ;  it  flags  the  spirits,  and  strangely  debilitates 
all  the  powers  of  body  and  mind  in  a  manner  that  is  sel- 
dom felt  in  Evirope,  unless  for  one  month  in  the  year. 

June  30.  I  received  the  minutes  of  the  Virginia  Con- 
ference, by  which  I  learn  the  preachers  there  have  been 
effecting  a  lame  separation  from  the.  Episcopal  Church, 
that  will  last  about  one  year.  I  pity  them ;  that  Satan  has 
a  desire  to  have  us,  that  he  may  sift  us  like  wheat. 

July  15.  We  rode  to  the  seaside,  about  forty  miles 
from  Shockley's.  I  read  part  of  the  life  of  Mi.  De  Renty. 
We  came  in  about  two  o'clock,  and  found  a  kind  recep- 
tion. We  prayed  after  dinner  in  the  family  and  private ; 
afternoon  went  down  to  the  sea  to  bathe,  for  my  health ; 
at  night  read  a  chapter,  and  gave  an  exhortation.  Brother 
Allfree  and  myself  prayed  ;  we  rested  well. 

July  17.  I  preached  on  i  John  i.  8,  9,  to  about  fifty 
people,  simple  but  teachable.  Some  poor  men  in  a  boat 
came  on  shore,  who  had  been  taken  prisoners ;  were 
English  and  Scotch,  going  to  New  York.  I  called  at  their 
tent,  read  the  third  of  Romans,  lectured  to  them ;  they 
seemed  kind  and  humble.  I  pitied  an  old  man,  near  sev- 
enty, from  Devonshire.  I  went  to  bathe,  called  on  the 
distressed  people,  prayed  with  them.  This  morning  I 
finished  reading  the  book  of  Psalms,  which  has  been  my 


1779]  UNITY  OF  BELIEVERS  147 

regular  reading  this  week  past;  likewise  the  eleventh 
volume  of  Wesley's  Works,  and  part  of  the  lives  of  those 
men  of  (]od,  Halyburton,  De  Renty,  and  Walsh,  one  of 
the  Church  of  Scotland,  another  from  the  Church  of 
Rome,  the  latter  a  Methodist  preacher;  but  the  work  of 
God  is  one  in  all.  To  set  aside  a  few  particulars,  how 
harmonious  does  the  work  of  God  appear  in  men  of  dif- 
ferent nations  and  churches ! 

July  20.  I  went  to  the  water,  and  believe  bathing  has 
been  of  singular  use  to  me. 

July  22.  I  hear  good  news  from  the  people  of  the 
work  of  God ;  though  they  are  not  competent  judges,  yet 
I  hope  the  prospect'  is  favorable.  Many  brought  home  to 
God,  and  hope  more  will  be.  I  have  in  the  course  of  my 
reading  attained  to  the  end  of  Solomon's  Song.  Preached 
at  Joseph  Moore's ;  a  hundred  serious  people  attended — a 
great  change  since  I  preached  here  nine  or  ten  months 
ago.  Then  many  in  blindness,  now  forty  in  society ;  some 
seeking,  others  have  found  the  Lord.  One  of  the  friends 
told  me  he  thought  he  could  number  fifty  praying  families. 
Some  who  have  not  joined  us  yet  are  stirred  up  by  preach- 
ing to  pray ;  before,  the  people  were  swearers,  drunkards, 
fighters,  horse-racers,  and  such  like ;  but  the  Lord  hath 
done  great  things  for  them.  I  spoke  on  Eph.  5.  8;  had 
great  liberty. 

Preachers  Mtist  Know  the  Bible 

July  23.  Arose,  as  I  commonly  do,  before  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  to  study  the  Bible.  I  find  none  like  it, 
and  find  it  of  more  consequence  to  a  preacher  to  know  his 
Bible  well  than  all  the  languages  or  books  in  the  world ; 
for  he  is  not  to  preach  these,  but  the  Word  of  God. 

July  26.  Spent  in  writing  to  our  dissenting  brethren 
in  Virginia,  hoping  to  reclaim  therti.  I  am  kept  in  peace, 
though  not  without  inward  and  outward  war. 

July  28.    Prepared  my  letters ;  am  most  severely  tried 


14^  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

at  times,  but  if  for  good,  the  Lord's  will  be  done.  Had  a 
conversation  with  Mr.  O'Neal,  a  man  of  learning  and 
understanding,  who  knows  doctrines  and  men;  is  a  min- 
ister of  the  Episcopal  Church,  in  Maryland,  a  nonjuror. 
I  ended  the  reading  of  Isaiah,  in  course,  going  through 
the  Bible. 

Aug.  2.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began.  I  was  detained 
by  rain,  but  came  in  about  one  o'clock.  Brother  Cox 
preached  on  Psa.  48.  12-14. 

Aug.  3.  Li  the  morning  the  rain  continues ;  all  things 
look  gloomy.  We  appointed  to  meet  at  nine,  if  clear;  if 
not,  at  twelve  o'clock.  About,  twelve  it  cleared  away, 
without  such  visible  tokens  as  sometimes  appear.  We 
went  to  the  arbor ;  it  covers  three  or  four  hundred  people. 
It  is  possible  we  had  six  or  seven  hundred  people  each 
day,  from  Sussex,  Somerset,  Queen  Anne,  Caroline, 
Kent,  Newcastle,  and  Philadelphia.  I  preached  on  Psa. 
126.  3-6,  and  was  greatly  led  out;  God  was  with  us.  The 
rain  i)rcvented  Mr.  McGaw's  attendance. 

Aug.  4.  We  held  our  love  feast.  Many  spectators,  and 
a  melting  time ;  some  power  and  life  appeared  to  be 
among  the  people.  L^^pon  the  whole  we  had  a  blessed 
time.  About  twelve  o'clock  I  preached  on  Col.  i.  2^,  28, 
with  some  freedom,  and  hope  the  people  were  profited. 
Brother  Garrettson  exhorted  long.  His  speaking  is  most- 
ly proposing  cases  of  conscience,  and  answering  them, 
and  speaking  about  Christ,  heaven,  and  hell ;  yet  this  car- 
ries all  before  it.  It  is  incredible  the  good  he  has  been 
instrumental  in  doing ;  the  people  are  generally  moved 
under  his  preaching.  It  is,  however,  thought  expedient 
to  send  him  to  the  North.  I  go  to  Choptank.  We  have 
had  much  of  God  in  this  meeting.  Though  I  have  had 
but  little  sleep,  and  unwholesome  weather,  yet  I  feel  no 
injury;  thank  the  Lord!  We  rode  to  Thomas  White's 
after  four  o'clock. 

Aug.  10.    Rode  to  Andrew  Perdin's,    It  was  reported 


1779] 


FOREST  CHAPEL 


T4Q 


about  that  there  would  be  a  horse  race,  and  some  opposi- 
tion, but  there  was  none.  Next  day  rode  to  Richard 
Shaw's.  I  spoke  to  a  simple  and  steady  people  on  the 
righteousness  of  the  law  and  righteousness  of  faith.  Alet 
the  class;  the  people  are  faithful,  in  general;  thank  the 
Lord! 


THE  SADDLEBAGS  OF  THE  REV.  FREERORX  GARRETTSON. 

A  good  example  of  this  indispensable  feature  of  the  equipment  of  the 
circuit  rider  of  these  heroic  days. 

Aug.  i6.  I  went  to  Hilliard's,  and  the  people  attended 
very  well.  One  is  brought  under  deep  distress,  who  some 
months  back  persecuted  and  kept  back  his  wife.  I  said 
at  that  time,  perhaps  he  will  be  glad  to  come  himself ;  and 
so  it  is ;  thank  the  Lord  for  this.  I  preached  from  Psa. 
145.  18-20.  I  rode  twenty  miles  to-day,  and  if  Brother 
Cromwell  does  not  come  I  must  take  the  circuit. 

Aug.  19.  Rode  to  Scotten's  through  heavy  rain, 
preached  to  a  crowded  audience. 

Aug.  20.  Went  to  Forest  Chapel,  and  spoke  to  a  large 
congregation.  I  returned  to  Brother  Shaw's,  and  wrote 
to  Brothers  Cox  and  Ruff.  I  am  grieved  at  the  impru- 
dence of  some  people  ;  but  why  should  I  be  grieved  ? — the 
work  is  the  Lord's. 


I50  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

Aug.  22.  I  went  to  a  Presbyterian  meeting,  and  heard 
a  good  sermon,  on  the  epistle  to  the  church  at  Laodicea, 
truly  applicable  to  the  unfeeling  people,  who  are  so  full 
of  politics  that  they  seem  to  have  turned  all  religion  out 
of  doors. 

Aug.  26.  This  morning,  I  ended  the  reading  of  my 
Bibl^  through,  in  about  four  months.  It  is  hard  work  for 
me  to  find  time  for  this,  but  all  I  read  and  write  I  owe  to 
early  rising.  If  I  were  not  to  rise  always  by  five,  and 
sometimes  at  four  o'clock,  I  should  have  no  time  only  to 
eat  my  breakfast,  pray  in  the  family,  and  get  ready  for 
my  journey,  as  I  must  travel  every  day. 

Urges  Holding  Prayer  Meetings 

Sept.  2.  I  was  closely  taken  up  in  writing,  but  met 
the  society ;  they  appeared  to  be  humbled,  and  resolved  to 
set  out  anew.  I  pressed  them  to  have  prayer  meetings, 
and  they  appointed  one  before  they  parted. 

Sept.  4.  I  changed  my  purpose,  and  instead  of  going 
to  Williams's  went  to  Thomas  White's.  Preached  at 
night. 

Sett.  9.  I  was  sick,  and  was  relieved  by  Joshua  Dud- 
ley, who  took  the  circuit.  I  have  more  time  now  for 
writing,  and  am  kept  humble,  to  think  of  the  respect  the 
people  pay  to  such  a  poor  creature.  Though  ill,  I  com- 
pleted my  notes  from  Newton's  third  volume  on  Dis- 
sertations on  the  Prophecies ;  I  cannot  be  idle. 

Sept.  10.  I  have  been  employed  in  writing  letters  to 
the  preachers.  Lord,  help  me  to  speak  and  write  to  thy 
glory,  and  the  good  of  the  people  I  have  the  charge  of.  I 
began  reading  Camper  on  Ordination.  Much  pomp  was 
annexed  to  the  clerical  order,  though  plausible  in  its  way. 
I  believe  the  Episcopal  mode  of  ordination  to  be  more 
proper  than  that  of  Presbyters;  but  I  wish  there  were 
primitive  qualifications  in  all  who  handle  sacred  things. 

Sept.  12,     I   preached   to   the   people,   who   came   to 


1779]  MUCH  READING  151 

church,  at  Mr.  Bassett's  door,  on  Gal.  2.  19 ;  in  the  after- 
noon, in  the  woods,  to  the  most  people  I  ever  saw  here, 
and  had  liberty. 

Sept.  14.  I  went  to  see  Brother  Hartley,  under  his  con- 
finement, who  was  in  jail  for  preaching,  and  found  him 
determined  to  marry.  He  thought  it  was  his  duty  before 
God.  I  could  only  advise  a  delay  till  he  was  released  from 
imprisonment.  Persuaded  him  to  give  bail  at  court,  if  not 
released,  as  I  thought  he  would  have  no  trial.  All  that 
the  opposers  wanted  was  to  prevent  his  preaching  in  the 
county.  We  thought  his  imprisonment  was  illegal,  as  he 
had  taken  the  oath  in  the  Delaware  state. 

Sept.  20.  I  read  thirteen  chapters  in  Revelation,  which 
was  part  of  what  should  have  been  read  yesterday,  but  I 
had  not  time.  I  read  also  about  one  hundred  pages  in 
Camper  on  the  Consecrating  Bishops ;  it  is  very  well  if 
properly  attended  to.  Read  fifty  pages  in  Salmon's  Gram- 
mar. It  is  plain  to  me  the  devil  will  let  us  read  always  if 
we  will  not  pray ;  but  prayer  is  the  sword  of  the  preacher, 
the  life  of  the  Christian,  the  terror  of  hell,  and  the  devil's 
plague. 

Sept.  21.  I  read  a  few  chapters  in  the  New  Testament, 
and  about  seventy  pages  in  Salmon's  Grammar ;  wrote  a 
letter  to  my  dear  friend  Mr.  Gough ;  spent  the  afternoon 
in  visiting  our  friends. 

Sept.  30.  I  rose  early,  and  preached  at  Gibson's  to 
about  sixty  people,  on  Luke  12.  32.  I  spent  the  evening 
with  ]\Ir.  Thorn,  an  Episcopal  minister. 

Oct.  7.  I  prayed  frequently ;  read  the  First  Epistle  to 
the  Corinthians.  I  am  kept  watchful,  and  have  some  holy 
breathings  after  God.  I  received  a  letter  from  Brother 
Ruff ;  he  says  the  work  deepens  in  the  Jerseys. 

Dearth  of  Preachers 

Oct.  8.  Brother  McClure  came  over.  We  settled  a 
plan  for  the  next  half  year,  in  Maryland,  Delaware,  Penn- 


152  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

sylvania,  and  Jersey.  Our  difficulties  are  great:  we  have 
not  a  sufficient  number  of  proper  preachers ;  some  who  are 
gifted  cannot  go  into  all  the  states,  on  account  of  the 
oaths ;  others  are  under  bail,  and  cannot  move  far.  I  have 
not  spent  this  day  as  I  ought ;  perhaps  not  one  in  my 
whole  life.  I  read  eleven  chapters  in  the  second  of 
Corinthians,  in  course.  Brother  Hartley  being  bailed 
from  Talbot  jail,  after  near  three  months'  imprisonment, 
came  to  take  Kent  in  my  absence ;  he  preached  on,  "Per- 
secuted, but  not  forsaken ;  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed," 
an  appropriate  and  impressive  discourse. 

Oct.  24.  This  day  was  appointed  for  Mrs.  Jessop's 
funeral.  There  were  about  three  hundred  people ;  we  had 
the  use  of  the  barn.  I  spoke  with  great  opening,  on  Heb. 
II.  27;  was  much  assisted  in  showing  to  my  hearers, 
I.  What  it  is  to  die;  2.  The  judgment,  with  the  certain 
consequences  of  both ;  3.  The  appointment  for  all  men 
once  to  die ;  and  controverted  the  argument  against  being 
saved  from  sin,  drawn  from  death — that  it  is  not  a  pun- 
ishment to  the  righteous  ;  that  their  constitutions  being 
subject  to  decay  makes  it  necessary,  and  in  imitation  of 
Christ,  to  suffer  as  he  did  in  death,  without  sin. 

Oct.  28.  I  read  Second  Peter,  and  so  to  the  end  of 
my  Bible.  I  rose  at  three  o'clock,  and  spent  an  hour  in 
prayer  and  retirement,  and  gave  myself  to  reading.  I  do 
not  find  the  same  life  at  study  as  when  riding  and  preach- 
ing every  day,  though  I  become  tired  of  both  too  much. 

Oct.  31.  We  all  went  to  church,  preachers  and  people, 
and  received  the  sacrament.  Messrs.  Thorn,  O'Neal,  and 
McGaw  were  prtsent.  Mr.  O'Neal  preached  an  affecting 
passion  sermon ;  after  the  Lord's  Supper  Mr.  McGaw 
preached  an  excellent  sermon.  At  night  I  preached  in 
the  barn,  on  "He  that  saith  he  abideth  in  him  t)ught  him- 
self also  so  to  walk,  even  as  he  walked." 

Nov.  I.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began  in  Edward 
White's  barn.    The  three  clergymen  attended  with  great 


1779]  A  MIRACULOUS  ESCAPE  153 

friendship.  I  preached  on  Isa.  66.  6,  7,  and  had  much 
hberty;  there  were  about  a  thousand  or  twelve  hundred 
people,  and  the  greater  part  were  serious.  Brother  Gar- 
rettson  and  Brother  Ruff  exhorted. 

Nov.  2.  I  preached  again  on  i  Thess.  2.  13,  with  more 
power  and  application  to  the  people.  We  held  our  love 
feast  in  the  morning ;  preaching  at  twelve  o'clock.  There 
were  as  many  people,  or  rather  more  than  yesterday ;  the 
barn  and  treading  floor  filled.  We  had  a  close  conversa- 
tion with  the 'clergy,  who  informed  themselves  of  our 
rules,  and  were  willing  to  give  us  all  the  assistance  they 
could  by  word  and  deed. 

An  Extraordinary  Deliverance 

Nov.  3.  We  parted  in  much  affection  and  great  love. 
We  appointed  to  meet  at  Mr.  Thorn's,  Monday  three 
weeks.  The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us  among 
the  people  ;  may  he  make  and  keep  us  humble  !  There  was 
great  harmony  among  us,  though  men  of  different 
political  principles ;  we  suppressed  these,  and  all  was  love. 
There  was  an  extraordinary  deliverance  this  morning: 
Brother  Edward  White's  boy,  about  six  years  old,  fell  into 
the  well;  was  prevented  by  his  sister  from  falling  head 
foremost,  but  no  more ;  yovmg  as  he  was  he  held  the 
bucket:  went  down  as  far  as  the  bucket  would  go,  came 
up,  let  go  the  bucket,  took  hold  of  the  sides  of  the  well, 
and  saved  himself;  his  father  went  down  and  brought 
him  up.  All  these  things  demand  notice  and  thanks- 
giving. 

Nov.  4.  I  rose  early ;  prayed  several  times  before  I 
left  the  room,  and  wrote  to  the  stewards  in  Philadelphia. 
Most  of  my  time  to-day  was  taken  up  in  writing. 

Nov.  5i-  Set  apart  for  fasting  and  prayer.  Though 
tempted  at  times,  I  shall  not  be  overcome ;  I  had  rather 
die  than  sin  against  God.  I  read  about  one  hundred 
octavo  pages,  then  applied  to  the  Bible  for  the  exercises 


154  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1779 

of  the  remaining  part  of  the  day.  I  began  the  reading  of 
my  Bible  through  again ;  read  a  few  chapters  in  Genesis, 
visited  the  sick  in  the  neighborhood,  but  ate  nothing  till 
six  o'clock  at  night. 

Spirit  of  Separation  Grows 

Nov.  13.  I  went  to  Wells's,  and  had  about  forty  hear- 
ers. I  spoke  on  Zech.  8.  23 :  "We  will  go  with  you :  for 
we  have  heard  that  God  is  with  you."  Brother  Garrettson 
preached  at  Shaw's  at  night.  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Jarratt,  who  is  greatly  alarmed,  but  it  is  too  late ;  he 
should  have  begun  his  opposition  before.  Our  zealous 
dissenting  brethren  are  for  turning  all  out  of  the  society 
who  will  not  submit  to  their  administration.  I  find  the 
spirit  of  separation  grows  among  them,  and  fear  that  it 
will  generate  malevolence,  and  evil  speaking:  after  all 
my  labor  to  unite  the  Protestant  Episcopal  ministry  to  us, 
they  say,  "We  don't  want  your  unconverted  ministers ; 
the  people  will  not  receive  them."  I  expect  to  turn  out 
shortly  among  them,  and  fear  a  separation  will  be  un- 
avoidable; I  am  determined,  if  we  cannot  save  all,  to 
save  a  part. 

Nov.  17.  I  am  troubled  about  our  separating  brethreif 
in  Virginia.  I  have  read  through  the  book  of  Genesis ; 
and  again  have  read  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Assem- 
bly's Catechism,  Directory  of  Church  Government,  and 
Form  for  the  Public  Worship :  now  I  understand  it  better 
than  I  like  it. 

I  purposed  to  rise  at  four  o'clock  as  often  as  I  can, 
and  spend  two  hours  in  prayer  and  meditation,  two 
hours  in  reading,  and  one  in  recreation  and  conversation  ; 
and  in  the  evening,  to  take  my  room  at  eight,  pray  and 
meditate  an  hour,  and  go  to  bed  at  nine  o'clock.  All 
this  I  purpose  to  do,  when  not  traveling ;  but  to  rise  at 
four  o'clock  every  morning. 

Nov.  18.    Spent  the  day  in  reading  and  prayer.    Wrote 


1780]  WHOLE  NIGHT  IN  PRAYER  155 

letters  to  W.  Lynch.  Walters,  and  the  venerable  Ot- 
terbein. 

Nov.  20.  Ended  the  reading  of  Salmon's  Grammar, 
more  than  six  hundred  pages. 

Nov.  22.  Rose  between  four  and  five,  spent  an  hour  in 
prayer  and  meditation,  read  a  few  chapters  in  the  Bible 
before  it  was  daylight.  I  want  to  be  all  devoted  to  God, 
every  moment  given  up  to  Christ.  Rode  to  Maxfield's, 
and  preached  to  about  three  hundred  people  ;  spoke  on 
"Lord,  are  there  few  that  be  saved?"  Showed,  i.  What 
we  are  to  be  saved  from ;  2.  How  we  are  saved ;  3.  Why 
there  are  few. 

Dec.  28.  I  must  spend  the  whole  night  in  prayer,  after 
the  example  of  my  Lord;  for  temptation  is  to  try  me, 
perhaps  for  my  good,  as  I  have  many  things  to  lift  me  up. 
Brother  Hartley  is  now  married,  and  begins  to  care  for 
his  wdfe.  I  have  spent  but  little  time  to-day  in  reading 
or  writing.  There  is  a  prospect  of  a  work  of  religion  in 
this  state  if  the  preachers  are  faithful.  I  find  the  care  of 
a  wife  begins'to  humble  my  young  friend,  and  makes  him 
very  teachable.  I  have  thought  he  always  carried  great 
sail ;  but  he  will  have  liallast  now. 

A  New  Year  Begins 

Jan.  I,  1780.  I  preached  at  Edw^ard  White's  on  Luke 
3.  6-9,  with  great  liberty ;  not  in  much  order,  but  useful  to 
the  people.  W'ent  to  see  I.  Peterkins ;  he  is  continually 
praying  now  death  is  before  him.  Lord,  hear  and  answer 
his  prayer !  Now  commences  the  new  year ;  these  two 
years  past  have  been  trying  years  to  me,  and  I  doubt  not 
but  this  will  be  so  likewise ;  only,  my  God,  keep  me 
through  the  water  and  fire,  and  let  me  rather  die  than  live 
to  sin  against  thee ! 

Jan.  4.  Read  a  chapter  in  the  Bible,  read  the  Good 
Steward,  a  Sermon  upon  the  Reformation  of  Manners, 
and  Mr.  Wesley's  Sermon  on  Mr.  Whitefield's  death ;  was 


156  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

closely  employed;  prayed  three  times  in  the  family,  and 
attended  private  prayer  my  usual  times. 

Jan.  6.  I  did  not  travel,  but  read  my  Testament,  and 
some  of  Young's  poetry,  which  is  very  sublime.  Was 
much  taken  up  in  prayer.  I  want  to  be  employed  in  travel- 
ing and  preaching,  if  the  weather  would  permit.  Euro- 
peans cannot  judge  of  the  inclemency  "of  our  climate  but 
by  experience. 

Jan.  7.  The  ice  on  the  ground  and  the  coldness  of  the 
weather  prevent  my  traveling.  This  was  a  day  of  fasting ; 
I  ate  nothing  till  after  three  o'clock,  and  then  only  a 
bowl  of  milk.  At  four  o'clock  began  reading  Mr. 
Fletcher's  Checks. 

Jan.  10.  Spent  part  of  the -day  in  examining  the  list  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  books ;  employed  some  time  in  prayer,  but 
not  so  much  as  I  had  appointed. 

Jan.  II.  I  read  the  Checks;  went  to  view  a  spot  of 
land  for  building  a  preaching  house  upon,  formed  a  sub- 
scription paper,  and  obtained  subscribers  for  about  £80. 

Jan.  12.  Was  principally  employed  in  assorting  the 
books  for  sale. 

Jan.  13.  Finished  reading  the  First  Check:  the  style 
and  spirit  in  which  Mr.  Fletcher  v/rites  at  once  bespeak 
the  scholar,  the  logician,  and  divine. 

Jan.  21.  Rode  to  White  Brown's.  This  week  past  I 
have  been  in  much  haste,  but  have  read  a  little  every  day, 
and  finished  the  book  of  Joshua.  I  cannot  rise  so  early  as 
I  would,  it  is  so  extremely  cold  these  days  and  nights. 

Jan.  28.  A  fine  day  for  traveling.  Yesterday  was  so 
cold  it  was  hardly  possible  to  travel  without  getting  one's 
limbs  frozen.  I  rose  soon  after  five  o'clock,  prayed  four 
times  before  I  left  my  room,  and  twice  in  the  family.  I 
then  set  out  for  Isaac  Moore's  below  Broad  Creek,  met 
with  some  difficulty  in  the  way  from  the  ice,  but^  came 
there  safe.  W^as  variously  exercised  with  thoughts,  and 
had  hard  fightincs.    After  riding  twentv-five  miles  I  took 


lySo]         A  PRODIGY  OF  A  PREACHER  157 

a  little  food,  this  being  a  day  of  abstinence  and  prayer 
with  me. 

Jan,  29.  Rose  at  five  o'clock,  prayed  five  times  in 
private,  once  in  the  family,  and  transcribed  into  my  col- 
lection a  piece  for  the  preachers,  from  Baxter's  Works. 
Read  a  few  chapters  in  the  Old  and  one  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament.   O  Lord,  I  delight  in  thy  law ! 

Prays  Often 

Jan.  31.  Rose  at  five  o'clock,  and  prayed  six  times,  and 
hope  God  will  be  with  and  bless  us,  and  make  it  a  time  of 
power ;  but  O !  I  pass  through  the  fire  day  after  day. 
Lord,  let  me  rather  die  than  live  to  dishonor  thee !  I 
preached  on  Psa.  113.  i ;  had  many  to  hear,  but  not  great 
liberty  in  speaking.  Joseph  Cromwell  came  in  and  gave 
an  exhortation ;  the  people  were  very  serious.  In  the 
evening  we  divided  the  circuit,  and  settled  the  preachers' 
stations — John  Cooper  for  Sussex  and  Somerset ;  Hartley 
and  Black  for  Kent  and  part  of  Sussex. 

FiiR.  I.  At  nine  o'clock  we  had  a  love  feast,  a  time  of 
great  tenderness.  After  some  time  Brother  Cromwell 
spoke,  his  words  went  through  me,  as  they  have  every 
time  I  have  heard  him.  He  is  the  only  man  I  have  heard 
in  America  with  whose  speaking  I  am  never  tired.  I  al- 
ways admire  his  unaffected  simplicity ;  he  is  a  prodigy,  a 
man  that  cannot  write  or  read  well,  yet,  according  to 
what  I  have  heard,  he  is  much  like  the  English  John 
Brown,  or  the  Irish  John  Smith,  or  Beveridge's  Shep- 
herd's Boy.  I  fear  he  will  not  stand  or  live  long.  The 
power  of  God  attends  him  more  or  less  in  every  place, 
he  hardly  ever  opens  his  mouth  in  vain  ;  some  are  gen- 
erally cut  to  the  heart,  yet  he  himself  is  in  the  fire  of 
temptation  daily.     Lord,  keep  him  every  moment! 

Feb.  9.  Have  peace,  but  long  to  be  more  employed  in 
the  public  work.  I  hear  the  work  spreads  in  Bolingbroke 
and  Talbot.     So  the  Lord  leads  us  on  through  many 


158 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1780 


hindrances.  Perhaps  there  never  was  such  a  work  car- 
ried on  by  such  simple  men,  of  such  small  abilities,  and 
no  learning.  The  Lord  shows  his  own  power,  and  makes 
bare  his  own  right  arm !  Brother  Garrettson  set  off  for 
Dorset  to  preach  the  gospel.  We  committed  the  remains 
of  Mrs.  Peterkin  to  the  dust  at  Thomas  White's;  she 
died  in  full  triumph  of  faith.  '  Many  people  were  present, 
and  we  afave  exhortations  suited  to  the  occasion. 


DORCHESTER       COUNTY       JAIL,       CAMBRIDGE.        MARYLAND, 
WHERE   GARRETTSON    WAS    IMPRISONED. 


lySo]  GARRETTSON  IMPRISONED  159 

Feb.  29.  The  roads  were  bad  beyond  my  expectation. 
I  rode  on  horseback ;  returned  to  Shaw's,  took  dinner, 
heard  of  Freeborn  Garrettson's  being  put  in  jail  in  Dor- 
set. So  Satan  has  stretched  his  chain ;  but  this  shall 
work  for  good.  Spent  a  night  with  Mr.  AIcGaw ;  had 
great  satisfaction  in  conversing  with  him  relative  to  his 
having  a  closer  connection  with  us. 

Mar.  I .  Rode  twelve  miles  to  the  chapel ;  four  or  five 
miles  the  roads  were  so  bad  that  I  was  obliged  to  get 
out  of  the  carriage  and  walk ;  I  came  late,  and  much 
fatigued.  Spoke  on  Matt.  5.  16:  "Let  your  light  so  shine 
before  men ;"  spoke  freely,  and  w^as  blessed ;  the  work 
revives  here,  and  over  in  Queen  Anne's  County,  a  few 
miles  distant  from  this. 

Mar.  2.  Heard  of  Mr.  Peterkin's  death ;  he  died  last 
night.  I  came  to  his  house,  and  went  to  Thomas  White's. 
Find  it  is  a  fact  that  Brother  Garrettson  was  put  in  jail 
last  Sunday. 

Reads  History  of  Scotland 

Mar.  3.  Rose  between  four  and  five  o'clock,  and 
prayed  some  time ;  have  begun  reading  Robertson's  His- 
tory of  Scotland.  Went  to  Stradley's,  spoke  on  Rev. 
3.  20,  with  liberty ;  met  class,  came  back,  and  spoke  a 
few  words  to  the  people,  who  were  met  to  put  the  re- 
mains of  James  Peterkin  in  the  ground. 

Mar.  4.  I  wrote  to  Pedicord  and  Cromwell,  and 
have  appointed  Joshua  Dudley  for  Dorset ;  he  is  qualified 
by  law.     Rested  and  read  Robertson's  first  volume. 

Mar.  6.  I  was  kept  close  in  reading  the  first  volume 
of  the  History  of  Scotland,  and  was  kept  in  quiet.  In 
the  morning  I  wrote  to  Brother  Garrettson  to  comfort 
him  under  his  imprisonment. 

Mar.  8.  I  rose  at  five,  and  began  reading  in  Mr. 
Wesley's  Notes  on  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles. 

Mar.  10.     I  rose  between  four  and  five  o'clock,  spent 


i6o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [17B0 

some  time  in  private  prayer  and  with  the  families;  read 
Mr.  Wesley's  Notes  on  First  Corinthians,  and  ended  the 

MINUTES 

OF    SOME 

CONVERSATIONS 

BETWEEN    THE 

PREACHERS 

IN    CONNECTION    WITH 

The  Rev.  Mr.  John  Wefley. 

PHILADELPHIA, 

June,  1773. 


— <*^<^^.<^^=^>^>f  >•>••—- 


T 


H  E  following  queries  were  propofed  to  every 
preacher  : 

1.  Ought  not  the  authority  of  Mr.  Wefley  and  that 
conference,  to  extend  to  the  preachers  and  people  in 
America,  as  well  as  in  Great-Britain  and  Ireland? 

^nfw.  Yes. 

2.  Ought  not  the  doftrine  and  difcipline  of  the 
Methodids,  as  contained  in  the  minutes,,  to  be  the 
fole  rule  of  our  conduft  who  labour,  in  the  connec- 
tion with  Mr.  Wefley,  in  America  ? 

j^nftv.  Yes. 

3.  If  fo,  does  it  not  follow,  that  if  any  preachers 
deviate  from  the  minutes,  we  can  have  no  fel]ow(hIp 
with  them  till  they  change  their  CQnduil  ? 

Jnftv.  Yes. 

The  following  rules  were -agreed  to  by  all  the 
preachers  prefent  : 

/.  Every  preacher  who  afts  In  connexion  with 
Mr.  Wefley  and  the  brethren  who  labour  in  Amerl- 
FACSIMILE    OF    THE    PRINTED    MINUTES,    1/73     (a). 

reading  of  the  second  book  of  Kings,  in  my  reading  in 
course  the  Bible  through.    Blessed  be  the  Lord ! 


1780]  CROMWELL  IN  JAIL  161 

Mar.  13.    Received  a  letter  from  Brother  Garrettson : 
his  enemies  are  softened  toward  him.     I  heard  Cromwell 

ca,  Is  ftridily  to  avoid  adminiftering  the  ordinances  of 
baptiftn  and  the  Lord's  fupper. 

2.  All  the  people  among  whom  we  labour  to 
be  earneftly  exhorted  to  attend  the  church,  a^d  to 
receive  the  ordinances  there  ;  but  in  a  particular  man- 
ner to  prefs  the  people  in  Maryland  and  Virginia,  to 
the  obfervance  of  this  minute. 

5.  No  perfon  or  perfons  to  be  admitted  to  ouv 
love-fearts  oftcner  than  tv/ice  or  thrice,  unlefs  they 
become  members ;  and  none  to  be  admitted  to  the 
fociety  meetings  more  than  thrice. 

4.  None  of  the  preachers  in  America  to  re- 
print any  of  Mr.  Wefley's  books,  without  his  au- 
thority (when  it  can  begot)  and  the  confent  of  their 
brethren. 

5.  Robert  Williams  to  fell  the  books  he  has  alrea- 
dy printed,  but  to  print  no  more,  unlefs  under  the 
above  reftri£lIon. 

6.  Every  preacher  who  afls  as  an  afiiflant,  to* 
fend  an  account  of  the  work  once  in  fix  months  to« 
the  general  afiiftant. 

^pj}'   I.  How  are  the preacheicsjlaltmed? 
jinfiu.  Ncw-Tork,    Thomas  Rankin,  "1  to  change 
Philadelphia,  George  Shadford,  J  in  4  mons, 

Newjerfey,  ^  Siam  Waters. 

"^  Francis  Afbury, 

2j  , .  I  Robert  Strawbrldge, 

Balumore,       J-  Abraham  Whitwonh. 

J  Jofeph  Yerbery. 

Norfolk,        -  Richard  Wright. 

Peterjburgy      -  Robert  Williams. 
^ejl.  2,  What  numbtr  are  thin  in  the  fochfy? 

/th/w.  New- York  -              180 

Philadelphia  •               180 

New-Jerfey  .             200 

Maryland  -          -         joo 

Virginia  -               100 

1160 

FACSIMILE    OF    THE    PRINTED    MINUTES,    I773    (b). 

was  put  in  jail,  but  did  not  credit  it.     I  rode  to  John 
Cannon's,  and  spoke  on  John  i.  8,  9;  had  liberty.    There 


i62  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

were  about  a  hundred  people,  and  some  little  stir.  One 
of  the  sons  has  a  religious  frenzy ;  he  was  panic-struck, 
and  prayed  some  hours ;  he  kneeled  down  in  time  of 
preaching;  he  may  be  sincere,  and  come  to  something. 
Rode  to  Morgan  Williams's ;  met  Brother  Lowrey,  now 
rejoicing  in  God,  his  backslidings  healed,  and  his  soul 
restored.  Received  another  letter  from  Brother  Gar- 
rettson,  wherein  he  informs  me  the  people  want  to  get 
rid  of  him.  and  that  they  are  not  so  cruel  to  him  as  for- 
merly, nor  to  the  people  who  visit  him. 

AIar.  15.  Brother  Garrettson  expects  to  come  out  of 
jail  by  the  favor  of  the  governor  and  council  of  Mary- 
land in  spite  of  his  foes ;  so  the  Lord  works  for  us.  In 
Somerset  they  are  using  some  of  Bishop  Warburton's 
Works  against  Mr.  Wesley  and  Mr.  Whitefield. 

Garrettson  Released 

Mar.  17.  I  rode  to  Johnstown,  and  from  thence  to 
William  Law's ;  met  Freeborn  Garrettson,  who  came  out 
of  jail  by  order  of  the  governor  and  council  of  Maryland, 
who  had  sent  to  the  governor  of  Delaware  to  know  if  F. 
Garrettson  were  not  a  fugitive,  and  had  received  satis- 
factory information.  Brother  Garrettson  preached  on 
Matt.  25.  10:  "And  they  that  were  ready  went  in  with 
him  to  the  marriage:  and  the  door  was  shut."  I  spoke  a 
few  words  after  him. 

Mar.  18.  Rose  at  four  o'clock,  and  spent  some  time 
in  prayer.  Brother  Garrettson  took  my  place  and  ap- 
pointments ;  we  drew  some  outlines  for  our  Conference 
while  together. 

Mar.  22.  I  have  been  collecting  all  the  minutes  of  our 
Conferences  in  America,  to  assist  me  in  a  brief  history 
of  the  Methodists,  and  an  account  of  our  principles. 

Mar.  26.  Rode  to  church,  where  we  had  a  smooth, 
sensible  discourse  on  i  Pet.  i.  3.  I  attended  the  com- 
munion;  communicants  increase   daily,   for  people   get 


lySo]  BOOK  AGAINST  METHODISTS  163 

awakened  by  us ;  when  this  is  the  case,  they  go  to  the 
Lord's  Supper.  In  the  afternoon  I  preached ;  many 
flocked  to  hear,  it  being  Easter  Sunday.  Spoke  plainer 
than  ever  on  Acts  17.  18;  had  enlargement  of  heart;  the 
church  minister  was  present. 

Mar.  2"].  Called  at  the  Rev.  Mr.  McGaw's;  spent  an 
hour,  changed  books  and  sentiments,  and  came  ofif  to 
Mrs.  Beauchamp's,  then  to  Perdin's ;  there  were  near 
two  hundred  people. 

Mar.  30.  I  am  going  to  Sussex,  on  my  way  to  the 
quarter  meeting  at  the  Fork.  I  fear  there  will  be  great 
commotions  this  summer ;  God  only  knows  what  the  end 
of  these  things  will  be ;  but  "Blessed  are  those  servants 
whom  the  Lord  when  he  cometh  shall  find  watching." 
I  lost  my  way  and  wandered  into  the  swamp,  and  feared 
1  must  lie  in  the  woods,  but  came  to  a  friend's  house, 
and  then  pushed  on  and  reached  Mr.  Polk's  about  seven 
o'clock.  Read  a  wonderful  book  against  Methodists,  but 
it  will  do  no  great  harm. 

Mar.  31.  Waked  before  three  o'clock,  though  I  did 
not  go  to  bed  till  after  ten  o'clock;  was  weather-bound, 
and  read  the  second  volume  of  Robertson's  History  of 
Scotland.  The  fate  of  unfortunate  Mary  Queen  of 
Scots  was  affecting;  and  the  admired  Queen  Elizabeth 
does  not  appear  to  advantage  in  the  Scotch  history.  The 
Lord  searcheth  and  knoweth  all  hearts. 

Apr.  I.  I  received  a  satisfactory  letter  from  William 
Moore ;  he  hopes  a  reconciliation  will  take  place  in  Vir- 
ginia, if  healing  measures  are  adopted. 

Apr.  7.  About  three  days  ago  I  was  moved  to  pray 
for  good  weather,  when  I  saw  what  a  condition  we  should 
be  in:  there  is  a  change  in  the  weather.  I  have  peace 
this  morning,  and  my  heart  is  lifted  up  to  God  in  thank- 
fulness. Preached  at  Callaway's,  on  2  Pet.  3.  18,  and 
was  blessed.  There  were  about  fifty  souls — an  attentive, 
feeling  people.     After  preaching  I  rode  thirty  miles  to 


i64  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

the  seaside ;  there  met  Brother  Garrettson,  confident  that 
God  had,  in  a  vision  of  the  night,  sanctified  him. 

Apr.  10.  I  appointed  Brother  Wyatt  to  keep  the 
ground  against  the  Baptists,  and  to  supply  our  places 
here  instead  of  the  traveling  preachers  that  are  going  to 
Conference ;  for  John's  people  intend  to  come  a-fishing 
about  when  we  are  gone.  We  had  a  love  feast  at  eight 
o'clock ;  many  spoke  in  a  very  feeling  manner.  God  was 
with  us  at  eleven  o'clock — I  preached  on  2  Cor,  4.  12. 
Brother  Cromwell  and  Brother  Garrettson  exhorted ; 
the  people  were  moved  at  what  was  said,  though  simple, 
and  the  same  things  he  frequently  says ;  but  he  is  a  man 
of  God,  and  their  spiritual  father. 

Writes  Short  History  of  Methodism 

Apr.  12.  i  was  employed  in  writing  a  short  history 
of  the  Methodists ;  also  in  preparing  my  papers  for  Con- 
ference.    I  am  going  from  my  home,  Thomas  White's. 

Apr.  13.  I  set  off  for  Richard  Shaw's,  in  Kent,  and 
came  in  about  five  o'clock,  and  kept  a  watch-evening.  I 
spoke  on  i  Cor.  16.  13,  14.    Caleb  Pedicord  exhorted. 

Apr.  14.  A  day  of  fasting.  I  was  employed  in  pre- 
paring my  paper  for  Conference ;  Caleb  Pedicord  is  my 
scribe.  I  am  under  some  apprehensions  that  trouble  is 
near.  Thomas  McClure  is  confined  sick  in  Philadelphia. 
Henry  Kennedy  and  William  Adams  are  dead ;  so  the 
Lord  cuts  off  the  watchmen  of  Israel.  But  sure  I  am 
that  it  is  better  to  die  early  than  to  live,  though  late,  to 
dishonor  God. 

Apr.  17.  Our  quarter  meeting  began.  Our  little 
chapel,  wath  galleries,  held  about  seven  hundred ;  but 
there  were,  I  judge,  near  one  thousand  people.  I 
preached  on  Phil.  i.  27:  "Only  let  your  conversation  be 
as  it  becometh  the  gospel  of  Christ." 

Apr.  18.  After  love  feast  Mr.  McGaw  read  prayers, 
and  Mr.  O'Neal  preached  a  good  sermon,  on  "Feed  my 


1780]  THE  VIRGINIA  BRETHREN  165 

sheep" ;  Brother  Garrcttson  and  myself  exhorted.  The 
power  of  God  was  present  in  the  love  feast ;  many  spoke 
in  our  meeting  with  light,  life,  and  liberty. 

Apr,  19.  I  left  ]\Ir.  Emory's,  where  we  were  very 
kindly  entertained  in  the  dreary  forest ;  they  live  well. 
These  people  were  brought  off  their  prejudices  by  Mr. 
McGaw's  preaching  in  the  chapel ;  they  and  their  family 
connections  promise  fair.  Brother  Garrettson  spoke  oh, 
"Ye  now  have  sorrow."  But  he  could  not  move  the 
people  here  as  at  the  seaside ;  they  are  cooler,  and  he  is 
not  their  spiritual  father. 

Apr.  22.  I  could  not  pray  for  our  friends  we  left  be- 
hind, without  weeping.  We  rode  to  Mr.  Gough's,  Balti- 
more County ;  my  friends  appeared  very  joyful  to  see 
me;  Brother  Glendenning  had  his  objections  to  make, 
and  pleaded  some  in  favor  of  the  Virginia  brethren,  who 
had  made  a  division.  We  prayed  after  dinner,  and  God 
was  with  us :  I  had  cause  to  talk  more  than  I  desired. 

Methodism  on  the  Peninsula 

Apr.  23.  Lord,  give  me  wisdom  that  is  profitable  to 
direct.  This  is  a  dumb  Sabbath ;  I  have  no  freedom  to 
preach ;  there  are  strange  changes ;  what  has  taken  place 
with  our  brethren  seems  parallel  with  the  commotions 
of  the  southward ;  and  the  same  spirit.  I  am  kept  in 
peace,  through  grace,  and  am  casting  my  care  upon  the 
Lord.  If  I  cannot  keep  up  old  Methodism  in  any  other 
place,  I  can  in  the  peninsula ;  that  must  be  my  last  re- 
treat. Spent  some  time  in  private,  and  prepared  some 
conditions  for  a  partial  reconciliation,  in  hopes  to  bring 
on  a  real  one  in  Virginia.  Brother  Garrettson  preached 
in  the  afternoon,  on  these  w^ords:  "Disallowed  indeed  of 
men,  but  chosen  of  God,  and  precious."  He  was  short 
and  profitable  ;  I  prayed  with  my  heart  full.  Met  Brother 
Selby,  whom  I  have  not  seen  for  near  six  years,  one  of 
my  old   friends   from   New  York,  driven  about  by  the 


i66  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

commotions  of  the  present  times;  he  with  great  joy  fell 
upon  my  neck  and  wept.  I  am  more  moved  than  ever 
before  with  leaving  and  meeting  my  friends.  These  are 
humbling  times,  and  make  the  Christians  love  one  an- 
other; I  found  the  spirits  of  the  preachers  much  melted 
and  softened.     I  hope  things  will  be  made  easy. 

Eighth  Annual  Conference 

Apr.  24.  We  made  a  plan  for  the  appointment  of  the 
preachers.  Received  three  epistles  from  the  Jerseys, 
soliciting  three  or  four  preachers,  with  good  tidings  of 
the  work  of  God  reviving  in  those  parts.  The  petitioners 
I  shall  hear  with  respect.  Rode  to  Baltimore,  and  my 
friends  were  much  rejoiced  to  see  me ;  but  silence  broke 
my  heart.  The  act  against  nonjurors  reduced  me  to 
silence,  because  the  oath  of  fidelity  required  by  the  act 
of  the  state  of  Maryland  was  preposterously  rigid.  I 
became  a  citizen  of  Delaware,  and  was  regularly  re- 
turned. I  was  at  this  time  under  recommendation  of 
the  governor  of  Delaware  as  taxable. 

Apr.  25.  Our  Conference  met  in  peace  and  love.  We 
settled  all  our  northern  stations ;  then  we  began  in  much 
debate  about  the  letter  sent  from  Virginia.  We  first 
concluded  to  renounce  them ;  then  I  offered  conditions 
of  union:  i.  That  they  should  ordain  no  more;  2.  That 
they  should  come  no  farther  than  the  Hanover  Circuit; 

3.  We  would  have  our  delegates  in  their  Conference ; 

4.  That  they  should  not  presume  to  administer  the  ordi- 
nances where  there  is  a  decent  Episcopal  minister ;  5.  To 
have  a  union  Conference. 

These  would  not  do,  as  we  found  upon  long  debate, 
and  we  came  back  to  our  determinations ;  although  it 
was  like  death  to  think  of  parting.  At  last  a  thought 
struck  my  mind — to  propose  a  suspension  of  the  ordi- 
nances for  one  year,  and  so  cancel  all  our  grievances, 
and   be  one.    It  was  agreed  on  both  sides,   and   Philip 


lySo]  A  MEETING  LOVE  FEAST  167 

Gatch  and  Reuben  Ellis,  who  had  been  very  stiff,  came 
into  it,  and  thought  it  would  do. 

Apr.  26.    Preached  on  Acts  6.  4,  with  liberty. 

Apr.  zy.  Read  the  advice  to  preachers.  At  twelve 
o'clock  we  had  a  melting  love  feast ;  preachers  and  people 
wept  like  children.  At  night  I  preached  on  Acts  2.  48, 
with  great  liberty,  to  about  six  hundred  people.  Joseph 
Cromwell  and  Freeborn  Garrettson  spoke;  at  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Conference,  William  Watters  too. 
These  three  volunteered,  and  were  to  be  my  spokesmen. 
Myself  and  Brother  Garrettson  are  going  to  the  Virginia 
Conference,  to  bring  about  peace  and  union. 

Two  questions  which  were  asked  at  this  Conference  make  it 
memorable.  Quest.  17.  Does  this  Conference  acknowledge 
that  slavery  is  contrary  to  the  laws  of  God,  man,  and  nature, 
and  hurtful  to  society;  contrary  to  the  dictates  of  conscience 
and  pure  religion,  and  doing  that  which  we  would  not  others 
should  do  to  us  and  ours?  Do  we  pass  our  disapprobation  on 
all  our  friends  who  keep  slaves,  and  advise  their  freedom? 
Quest.  23.  Do  we  disapprove  of  the  practice  of  distilling 
grain  into  liquor?  Shall  we  disown  our  friends  who  will  not 
renounce  the  practice?  The  answer  to  each  was  significantly 
affirmative. 

Apr.  29.  Rode  to  Mr.  Gough's ;  this  is  a  good  house 
to  do  business  at. 

Virginia 

May  I.  I  am  going  to  Mrginia ;  am  kept,  but  not  so 
much  employed  for  God  as  I  ought  to  be.  Preached  at 
Baltimore  on  John  5.  19.  A  rainy  night,  but  many  came 
to  hear. 

May  3.  I  rode  to  Georgetown,  from  thence  to  William 
Adams's  in  Virginia ;  came  in  late  and  fatigued. 

May  4.  Prepared  some  papers  for  Virginia  Confer- 
ence. I  go  with  a  heavy  heart ;  and  fear  the  violence  of 
a  party  of  positive  men.  I  preached  at  the  chapel  in 
Fairfax ;  and  met  Mr.  Griffith,  an  Episcopal  minister, 
who  was  friendly ;  and  we  spent  the  afternoon  together. 


i68  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

May  5.  Set  out  in  company  with  Brother  Garrettson, 
rode  near  forty  miles,  lodged  at  Garratt's  tavern,  where 
we  were  well  entertained.  Brother  Garrettson  talked  to 
the  landlord  on  the  subject  of  religion,  and  prayed  with 
him  at  night  and  in  the  morning,  though  he  would  not 
consent  to  call  his  family  together.  We  rode  on  to  Mr. 
Arnold's,  about  thirty  miles,  the  roads  good.  Brother 
Garrettson  will  let  no  person  escape  a  religious  lecture 
that  comes  in  his  way.  Sure  he  is  faithful,  but 
what  am  I? 

Expectation  of  Trouble 

May  7.  We  rode  eighteen  miles  to  Brown's  tavern. 
I  preached  on  Isa.  55.  6,  7.  On  entering  into  Virginia  I 
have  prepared  some  papers  for  the  Conference,  and  ex- 
pect trouble,  but  grace  is  almighty;  hitherto  hath  the 
Lord  helped  me. 

May  8.  We  rode  to  Granger's,  fifteen  miles ;  stopped 
and  fed  our  horses.  These  people  are  full  of  the  ordi- 
nances ;  we  talked  and  prayed  with  them ;  then  rode  on 
to  the  Manakintown  ferry,  much  fatigued  with  the  ride. 
Went  to  friend  Smith's,  where  all  the  preachers  were 
met.  I  conducted  myself  with  cheerful  freedom,  but 
found  there  was  a  separation  in  heart  and  practice.  I 
spoke  with  my  countryman,  John  Dickins,  and  found 
him  opposed  to  our  continuance  in  union  with  the  Epis- 
copal Church ;  Brother  Watters  and  Garrettson  tried 
their  men,  and  found  them  inflexible. 

May  9.  The  Conference  was  called.  Brother  Wat- 
ters, Garrettson,  and  myself  stood  back,  and  being  after- 
ward joined  by  Brother  Dromgoole  we  were  desired  to 
come  in,  and  I  was  permitted  to  speak.  I  read  Mr.  Wes- 
ley's thoughts  against  a  separation ;  showed  my  private 
letters  of  instruction  from  Mr.  Wesley ;  set  before  them 
the  sentiments  of  the  Delaware  and  Baltimore  Confer- 
ences ;  read  our  epistles,  and  read  my  letter  to  Brother 


1780]  A  CRITICAL  TIME  169 

Gatch,  and  Dickins's  letter  in  answer.  After  some  time 
spent  this  way  it  was  proposed  to  me,  if  I  would  get  the 
circuits  supplied,  they  would  desist ;  but  that  I  could  not 
do.  We  went  to  preaching;  I  spoke  on  Ruth  2.  4,  and 
spoke  as  though  nothing  had  been  the  matter  among  the 
preachers  or  people ;  and  we  were  greatly  pleased  and 
comforted ;  there  was  some  moving  among  the  people. 
In  the  afternoon  we  met ;  the  preachers  appeared  to  me 
to  be  farther  off ;  there  had  been,  I  thought,  some  talking 
out  of  doors.  When  we — Asbury,  Garrettson,  Watters, 
and  Dromgoole — could  not  come  to  a  conclusion  with 
them  we  withdrew,  and  left  them  to  deliberate  on  the 
conditions  I  offered,  which  was  to  suspend  the  measures 
they  had  taken  for  one  year.  After  an  hour's  conference 
we  were  called  to  receive  their  answer,  which  was,  they 
could  not  submit  to  the  terms  of  union.  I  then  prepared 
to  leave  the  house,  to  go  to  a  near  neighbor's  to  lodge, 
under  the  heaviest  cloud  I  ever  felt  in  America.  O,  what 
I  felt ! — nor  I  alone,  but  the  agents  on  both  sides ! 

A  Compromise  Effected 

May  10.  I  returned  to  take  leave  of  Conference,  and 
to  go  off  immediately  to  the  North,  but  found  they  were 
brought  to  an  agreement  while  I  had  been  praying,  as 
with  a  broken  heart,  'in  the  house  we  went  to  lodge  at ; 
and  Brothers  Watters  and  Garrettson  had  been  praying 
upstairs  where  the  Conference  sat.  We  heard  what  they 
had  to  say ;  surely  the  hand  of  God  has  been  greatly  seen 
in  all  this.  There  might  have  been  twenty  promising 
preachers  and  three  thousand  people  seriously  affected 
by  this  separation ;  but  the  Lord  would  not  suffer  this ; 
we  then  had  preaching  by  Brother  Watters  on,  "Come 
thou  with  us,  and  we  will  do  thee  good."  Afterward  we 
had  a  love  feast ;  preachers  and  people  wept,  prayed,  and 
talked,  so  that  the  spirit  of  dissension  was  powerfully 
weakened,  and  I  hoped  it  would  never  take  place  again. 


I70  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [178c 

May  II.  I  rode  to  Petersburg,  thirty-five  miles, 
through  much  fatigue  and  want  of  rest ;  found  myself 
indisposed  with  the  headache.  With  difficulty  I  spoke  at 
Brother  Harding's,  on,  "We  know  that  we  are  of  God," 
but  was  so  sick  I  could  scarcely  speak  at  all.  Though 
having  prevailed  with  God  and  man,  I  yet  halt  on  my 
thigh. 

May  12.  I  am  a  little  better;  rest  this  day  to  write  to 
Mr.  Wesley. 

May  16.  vSpent  near  an  hour  in  private  prayer,  and 
twice  in  the  family ;  then  went  to  Notaway  church, 
where  Mr.  Jarratt  gave  an  excellent  sermon  on,  "A  man 
shall  be  a  hiding  place."  He  was  rather  shackled  with 
his  notes.  We  then  had  sacrament ;  afterward  I  returned 
to  George  Booth's,  spent  the  evening  with  Mr.  Jarratt, 
and  found  him  as  friendly  as  ever.  He  labors,  but  the 
people  give  him  little  or  nothing. 

A  Lame  Horse  and  a  Rough  Road 

May  17.  Rode  to  the  widow  Heath's;  about  seventy 
people  were  waiting  for  me.  It  was  twenty  miles,  my 
horse  lame,  and  the  road  rough ;  the  enemy  tried  me  just 
before  I  came  to  the  house,  as  he  generally  does,  if  the 
distance  is  more  than  I  expect.  I  spoke  on  Luke  13.  23, 
and  was  pointed,  and  had  liberty ;  God  moved  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  people ;  met  the  society,  about  fifteen  pious 
people ;  most  were  blessed,  and  they  seem  all  on  stretch 
for  holiness ;  spent  my  afternoon  in  reading  and  study. 
There  seems  to  be  some  call  for  me  in  every  part  of  the 
work.  I  have  traveled  at  this  time  from  North  to  South 
to  keep  peace  and  union ;  and  O,  if  a  rent  and  separation 
had  taken  place,  what  work,  what  hurt  to  thousands  of 
souls!  It  is  now  stopped,  and  if  it  had  not  it  might  have 
been  my  fault;  it  may  have  been  my  fault  it  took  place. 

May  22.  I  labored  with  Brother  Hill ;  I  showed  him 
the  evil  of  a  separation,  which  he  seems  afraid  of.    Our 


i78o] 


THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


171 


people's  leaving  the  Episcopal  Church  has  occasioned  the 
people  of  that  church  to  withdraw  from  our  preaching. 
I  advised  our  friends  to  attend  the   Episcopal  Church, 


ASBURy's    southern    circuit,    APRIL-NOVEMBER,    I780. 

He  left  Dover  April  24,  attended  Conference  in  Baltimore,  then  to 
Conference  at  Mankintown,  Va.,  May  9;  spent  a  month  in  the  region  of 
Petersburg;  entered  North  Carolina  June  16;  was  at  Green  Hills  July  5; 
crossed  Haw  River  July  2,3:  at  Hillsboro  August  2;  re-entered  Virginia 
August  12;  at  Petersburg  September  27  ;  Broken-backed  Chapel  October 
3;  m  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  October  g-i8;  Fredericksburg  October  31; 
Baltimore  October  31;  Dover  November  3. 

that  prejudice  might  be  removed;  then  their  people  will 
attend  us ;  if  I  could  stay,  some  would  attend.  We  sufifer 
much  by  young  preachers  and  young  people ;  yet  they 


172  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

would  do  their  duty  if  they  knew  it ;  but  those  that  knew 
a  little  of  our  discipline,  and  have  been  first  in  the  work, 
came  into  the  notion  of  ordinances,  and  neglected  the 
direction  in  the  Minutes. 

May  29.  Read  Mr.  Wesley's  second  volume  of  Ser- 
mons; rode  to  Wood  Tucker's;  spoke  on  Heb.  12.  1-4. 
then  met  society,  or  rather  gave  them  an  exhortation; 
the  people  of  the  world  were  by,  and  God  was  with  us. 

Forward,  Despite  War 

May  30.  I  was  tempted  to  go  back  to  the  North,  there 
is  such  commotion  in  the  country ;  the  troops  are  going 
to  Camden,  South  Carolina.  But  I  must  go  on,  and  not 
faint  in  the  way.  I  have  been  very  well  off,  but  am  fol- 
lowing trouble.  What  matters  it  where  I  go,  what  comes 
upon  me,  if  God  is  with  me ;  or  where  I  live  or  where  I 
die,  if  holy  and  ready ! 

June  i.  Rode  to  Mr.  Jarratt's,  and  was  kindly  en- 
tertained. Preached  in  the  barn  to  about  seventy  people, 
but  not  so  lively  as  when  I  was  here  four  years  ago ; 
spoke  on  1  John  3.  2^,  had  much  free  conversation 
among  the  people.     Mr.  Jarratt  is  as  kind  as  formerly. 

June  2.  Went  to  White  Oak,  and  spoke  on  Titus 
3.  2-5,  and  was  blessed  ;  then  met  the  society  and  spoke 
to  the  people.  Mr.  Jarratt  wept,  and  all  the  people,  at 
the  joy  of  union. 

June  4.  I  rode  twelve  miles  to  Mrs.  Merritt's  meet- 
inghouse ;  there  were  about  three  hundred  people,  white 
and  black ;  spoke  on  Rom.  2.  7-9.  After  sermon  I  spoke 
to  the  society ;  some  of  them  are  happy  souls,  but  there  is 
a  slackness  in  meeting;  the  rules  of  the  society  have  not 
been  kept  up  here.  I  spoke  to  some  select  friends  about 
slavekeeping,  but  they  could  not  bear  it ;  this  I  know, 
God  will  plead  the  cause  of  the  oppressed,  though  it  gives 
offense  to  say  so  here.  O  Lord,  banish  the  infernal  spirit 
of  slavery  from  thy  dear  Zion ! 


lySo]  MARRIED  PREACHERS  173 

June  8.  In  my  way  1  called  to  see  friend  Marks  and 
family ;  he  is  worn  down  with  family  troubles.  Spoke 
at  Mark  Crowder's  on  i  Pet.  i.  5-10.  The  Word  was 
blessed  to  believers.  In  society  some  spoke  of  the  good- 
ness of  God.  In  the  afternoon  I  rode  through  a  steep, 
dangerous  place,  into  the  river ;  but  though  it  was  fright- 
ful I  came  safe  over  to  Wharton's.  Edward  Dromgoole 
is  a  good  preacher,  but  entangled  with  a  family.  We 
spoke  of  a  plan  for  building  houses  in  every  circuit  for 
preachers'  wives,  and  the  society  to  supply  their  fam- 
ilies with  bread  and  meat,  so  the  preachers  should  travel 
from  place  to  place,  as  when  single ;  for  unless  some- 
thing of  the  kind  be  done  we  shall  have  no  preachers 
but  young  ones,  in  a  few  years ;  they  will  marry  and 
stop. 

June  14.  Cannot  read,  write,  think,  pray,  or  speak 
nuich,  I  have  such  pain ;  but  I  trust  in  the  Lord.  It  is  no 
matter  where  I  die,  if  in  the  Lord ;  I  commend  all  to  him. 
The  more  I  sufifer,  the  better  it  will  be  in  the  end,  if  it  is 
for  souls  I  labor  and  suffer. 

Asbury's  Toothache  Remedy 

June  15.  I  am  better  in  health,  but  have  the  toothache 
violently,  and  am  forced  to  use  tobacco,  that  I  had  laid 
aside ;  but  putting  this  in  my  tooth  I  found  some  relief. 
Have  read  as  far  as  Isaiah,  in  going  through  my  Bible ; 
have  but  little  tinie.  I  see  the  need  of  returning  to  my 
twelve  times  of  prayer ;  I  have  been  hindered  and  inter- 
rupted by  pains  and  fevers.  Pain  is  trying,  but  I  am 
kept  from  murmuring  hitherto. 

June  18.  Brother  Dickins  spoke  on  charity  very 
sensibly,  but  his  voice  is  gone ;  he  reasons  too  much ;  is 
a  man  of  great  piety,  great  skill  in  learning,  drinks  in 
Greek  and  Latin  swiftly ;  yet  prays  much,  and  walks 
close  with  God.  He  is  a  gloomy  countryman  of  mine, 
and  very  diffident  of  himself. 


174  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

June  19.  Rose  about  five  o'clock,  was  a  little  dis- 
turbed in  my  rest  with  company.  Brother  Dickins  drew 
the  subscription  for  a  Kingswood  school  in  America ; 
this  was  what  came  out  a  college  in  the  subscription 
printed  by  Dr.  Coke.  Gabriel  Long-  and  Brother  Bustion 
were  the  first  subscribers,  which  I  hope  will  be  for  the 
glory  of  God  and  good  of  thousands.  I  hope  John 
Dickins  will  ever  after  this  be  a  friend  to  me  and  Metho- 
dism. My  health  is  greatly  restored ;  am  blessed  among 
my  friends, 

Watts's  Sermons 

June  26.  Rose  early ;  my  legs  are  so  inflamed  I  can- 
not tell  what  to  do ;  but  we  must  bear  all  things.  I  read 
Watts's  first  volume  of  Sermons  last  week,  and  tran- 
scribed a  little  of  it.  I  preached  at  Turner's ;  he  ha5  lost 
the  use  of  his  limbs.  I  advised  him  to  use  the  cold  bath, 
or  electricity  ;  either  might  help  him. 

June  27.  There  are  many  things  that  are  painful  to 
me,  but  cannot  ye  be  removed,  especially  slavekeeping 
and  its  attendant  circumstances.  The  Lord  will  cer- 
tainly hear  the  cries  of  the  oppressed,  naked,  starving 
creatures.  O,  my  God,  think  on  this  land.  Let  not  dis- 
aster come  upon  America.    Amen. 

June  28.  Rode  to  Todd's,  six  miles;  I  am  dejected  to 
see  so  little  religion.  I  am  comforted  when  I  pray  much, 
and  find  deliverance.  I  am  badly  situated,  and  cannot 
go  out  into  the  woods;  have  no  place  of  retirement  at 
some  houses. 

June  29.  Read  several  chapters  in  Isaiah.  I  have 
thought  if  I  had  two  horses,  and  Harry  (a  colored  man) 
to  go  with,  and  drive  one,  and  meet  the  black  people,  and 
to  spend  about  six  months  in  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas, 
it  would  be  attended  with  a  blessing.  I  rode  to  widow 
Pegram's,  had  about  sixty  people,  it  being  a  muster  day ; 
but  these  were  happy  souls.     As  soon  as  we  began  to 


lySo]  OPPOSITION  TO  SLAVERY  175 

sing  the  power  of  God  came  over  us ;  I  spoke  from  i  Pet. 
5.  6-8,  then  rode  to  Captain  Burrows's. 

July  3.  I  am  grieved  to  see  slavery,  and  the  manner 
of  keeping  these  poor  people.  I  set  out  for  Tar  River ; 
after  riding  about  five  miles  I  was  told  I  could  not  cross 
Bear  Swamp,  but  by  the  guidance  of  a  Baptist  friend 
came  through  that  and  two  very  deep  creeks. 

July  6.  Rode  twenty-six  miles  ;  exceeding  hot,  and  my 
horse  sufifered  greatly.  When  I  came  to  the  place  about 
seventy  people  were  met,  singing  and  praying.  I  spoke 
on  Heb.  4.  13-16;  had  not  much  strength  of  soul  or  body, 
but  a  good  sense  of  duty  done. 

July  8.  Rode  to  Cypress  Chapel ;  had  liberty  in  speak- 
ing on  I  John  i.  8,  9,  to  about  one  hundred  people.  Here 
James  O'Kelly  met  me ;  he  spoke  and  appeared  to  be  a 
warm-hearted,  good  man ;  but  he  was  troubled  with  the 
people  about  these  times. 

This  was  Asbury's  first  meeting  with  O'Kelly.  who  after- 
ward caused  him  so  much  trouble. 

July  9.  I  was  condemned  for  telling  humorous  anec- 
dotes, and  knew  not  whether  it  was  guilt  or  fear,  lest  my 
friends  should  think  I  go  beyond  the  bounds  of  prudent 
liberty.  It  is  dreadful,  when  a  preacher  is  put  to  it  to 
vindicate  himself. 

July  ii.  Had  a  heavy  night;  rose  up,  and  laid  myself 
down  on  the  floor  upon  my  nightgown ;  slept  in  pain ; 
rose  at  four  o'clock ;  prayed  in  private  and  in  the  family ; 
then  set  off  at  six  o'clock ;  had  hilly  roads ;  and  after 
riding  five  or  six  hours,  came  to  my  appointment. 

Party  Spirit  High 

July  19.  I  rode  to  Abraham  Hill's,  and  had  great 
liberty  in  speaking  from  Heb.  4.  10,  etc. ;  then  Brother 
Poythress  spoke,  and  we  had  a  refreshing  shower  ac- 
cording to  prayer.  We  afterward  spent  some  time  in 
reading,  out  of  what  I  had  written  and  abridged,  upon 


176  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

the  art  of  speaking  and  preaching.  I  find  the  spirit  of 
separation  on  account  of  the  ordinances  is  very  high 
among  preachers  and  people ;  but  I  hope  it  will  be 
checked.  It  must  be  checked  if  we  are  to  prosper  in 
all  things. 

A  Rough  Ride 

July  20.  Rode  twelve  miles  to  Tignal  Jones's ;  hilly, 
rocky  roads ;  about  eighty  people  to  hear.  After  dinner  I 
set  out  on  my  journey;  we  came  to  a  desperate  creek 
called  Northeast,  in  Chatham  County,  where  the  bridge 
was  carried  away  by  the  freshet;  we  had  to  go  through 
among  rocks,  holes,  and  logs  ;  I  was  affrighted ;  yea,  it  was 
wonderful  that  the  carriage  did  not  overset ;  Brother  Poy- 
thress  said  the  horse  was  down  twice,  and  covered  all  but 
his  head ;  however,  the  water  kept  up  the  carriage,  and  we 
came  safe  through  all  our  difficulties,  to  Brother  Merritt's. 
Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped — body,  soul,  horse,  and 
carriage ;  there  is  a  providence  attending  animate  and 
inanimate  creation. 

July  22.  We  set  out  for  Crump's,  over  rocks,  hills, 
creeks,  and  pathless  woods  and  low  land,  and  myself  in 
the  carriage.  The  young  man  with  me  was  frightened 
before  we  had  traveled  a  mile ;  but  when  he  saw  how  I 
could  bush  it,  and  sometimes  force  my  way  through  a 
thicket,  and  make  the  young  saplings  bend  before  me, 
and  twist  and  turn  out  of  the  way,  or  path,  for  there  was 
no  proper  road,  he  took  courage.  With  great  difficulty 
we  came  in  about  two  o'clock,  after  traveling  eight  or 
nine  hours,  the  people  looking  almost  as  wild  as  the  deer 
in  the  woods.    I  preached  on  Titus  2.  10-12. 

July  23.  We  passed  Haw  River,  wide,  but  shallow, 
bad  going  down  and  coming  up ;  they  took  the  carriage 
over  by  hand ;  then  we  had  to  travel  the  pathless  woods 
and  rocks  again.  After  mi:ch  trouble,  and  fear,  and  de- 
jection, we   came   to  Taylor's   preaching  house,  where 


lySo]  NARROW  ESCAPE  177 

they  were  pressing  horses,  as  we  expected ;  but  I  came 
off  safe,  and  spoke  on  2  Pet.  i.  5-12.  I  have  traveled 
thirty  miles,  and  could  not  avoid  traveling  on  Sunday, 
for  I  had  not  where  to  stay ;  rode  to  Brother  Beck's,  and 
was  much  fatigued ;  found  Brother  Beck  sick ;  he  has  a 
gracious  wife. 

July  24.  Cool,  like  the  fall ;  I  am  kept  in  peace ;  rose 
with  a  sense  of  God's  presence ;  have  only  time  to  pray 
and  write  my  journal ;  always  upon  the  wing,  as  the  rides 
are  so  long,  and  bad  roads ;  it  takes  me  many  hours,  as  in 
general  I  walk  my  horse.  I  crossed  Rocky  River  about 
ten  miles  from  Haw  River;  it  was  rocky,  sure  enough. 
I  can  see  little  else  but  cabins  in  these  parts,  built  with 
poles;  and  such  a  country  as  no  man  ever  saw  for  a 
carriage.  I  narrowly  escaped  being  overset ;  was  much 
affrighted,  but  Providence  keeps  me,  and  I  trust  will.  I 
crossed  Deep  River  in  a  flatboat,  and  the  poor  ferryman 
sinner  swore  because  I  had  not  a  silver  shilling  to  give 
him.  I  rode  to  friend  Plinton's,  borrowed  a  saddle,  and 
rode  near  six  miles  to  get  three,  as  we  were  lost ;  when 
we  came  to  the  place  there  were  about  sixty  people. 

Prayer  for  Divine  Protection 

July  25.  Was  engaged  in  private  and  family  prayer 
for  divine  protection ;  for  I  dwell  as  among  briers, 
thorns,  and  scorpions.  The  people  are  poor,  and  cruel 
one  to  another;  some  families  are  ready  to  starve  for 
want  of  bread,  while  others  have  corn  and  rye  distilled 
into  poisonous  whisky ;  and  a  Baptist  preacher  has  been 
guilty  of  the  same ;  but  it  is  no  wonder  that  those  who 
have  no  compassion  for  the  nonelect  souls  of  people 
should  have  none  for  their  bodies.  These  people  have 
had  some  religion ;  but  if  any  seeth  his  brother  need,  and 
shutteth  up  his  bowels  of  compassion,  so  as  neither  to 
give  nor  sell,  "how  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  that 
man?"    These  are  poor  Christians.    We  left  our  worthy 


178  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

friend  Hinton's,  a  kind  family,  who  parted  with  us  in 
tears.  We  forded  Deep  River,  rode  to  White's,  within 
ten  miles  of  the  camp,  into  a  settlement  of  people  from 
Pennsylvania ;  some  were  Quakers.  I  preached  at 
White's  to  about  twenty  people,  then  rode  sixteen  miles 
to  R.  Kennon's.  It  was  rainy,  and  we  rode  two  miles  in 
the  dark  through  the  woods,  but  came  safe  about  ten 
o'clock,  fatigued,  and  under  a  temptation  to  stop;  but 
reading  Paul  to  Timothy,  where  he  says,  'T  charge  thee 
before  God,"  etc.,  I  resolved  to  go  on ;  and  though  but 
little  time  and  opportunity  for  retirement,  not  any  for 
reading  or  gaining  knowledge,  yet  saving  souls  is  better 
But  people  are  so  distracted  with  the  times,  they  are 
afraid  to  leave  their  houses,  or  ride  their  horses.  I  ac- 
knowledge the  providence  and  immediate  hand  of  God 
in  my  journey ;  though  it  be  not  of  general  benefit,  I 
shall  gain  a  general  knowledge  of  the  preachers  and 
people,  and  strengthen  our  union. 

Aug.  2.  Rode  seven  miles  to  Hillsborough,  and 
preached  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Courtney,  a  tavern,  to  about 
two  hundred  people,  on  Hos.  10.  12:  "It  is  time  to  seek 
the  Lord."  They  were  decent,  and  behaved  well;  I  was 
much  animated,  and  spoke  loud  and  long.  Before  I  set 
ofif  this  morning  I  felt  dejected,  but  on  the  way  it  van- 
ished. Edward  Bailey  and  Brother  Allen  gave  exhorta- 
tions. I  came  back  to  hold  a  watch-night,  without  eating 
or  drinking,  though  importuned  to  take  refreshments. 
Hitherto  the  Lord  has  helped  me  through  continual 
fatigue  and  rough  roads ;  little  rest  for  man  or  horse,  but 
souls  are  perishing,  time  is  flying,  and  eternity  comes 
nearer  every  hour. 

Aug.  5.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began  at  Henley's 
preaching  house.  I  preached  on  Col.  i.  27-29;  then 
Brothers  Bailey,  Ivey,  and  Morris  spoke ;  there  was  some 
reviving  among  the  people.  We  lodged  at  John  Lee's ; 
mv  mind  was  much  drawn  out ;  we  retired  to  an  old  log 


1780J  vp:ry  bad  roads  179 

shop,  and  prayed  frequcntl}',  and  found  our  hearts  sweet- 
ly united  together. 

Aug.  6.  We  had  a  great  meeting,  love  feast  at  ten — 
very  warm  weather ;  a  log  house,  covered  with  long 
shingles ;  the  sun  beating  through.  At  one  o'clock 
preaching  began;  I  spoke  on  Eph.  3.  16-18,  to  about  five 
hundred  people. 

Aug.  8.  I  rode  to  Baxter's,  sixteen  miles ;  about 
eighty  people,  many  came  that  never  attended  at  other 
times.  ^ly  text  was  i  John  I.  8,  9.  I  had  great  liberty, 
but  was  tired  in  getting  there ;  we  crossed  the  Line 
Creek.  After  preaching  rode  six  miles,  but  was  an  hour 
too  late.  About  eight  o'clock  came  to  a  cabin,  an  earthen 
floor,  and  damp  bed.  I  was  very  weary  and  had  a  pain 
in  my  head ;  but  the  people  were  kind ;  I  knew  not  how 
to  lie  down.    Edward  Bailey  lay  down,  and  slept  well. 

Aug.  9.  I  rode  sixteen  miles  to  White's,  came  in  about 
three  o'clock;  no  preaching  appointed.  I  had  time  to 
write,  and  plan  for  another  trip  through  Carolina.  I 
have  had  little  time  or  place  for  prayer  till  I  came  here. 
The  roads  are  so  bad  I  have  my  carriage  to  refit  almost 
every  week. 

Asb«ry*s  Carriage  Upset 

Aug.  10.  I  rode  for  the  state  of  Virginia ;  we  were 
lost,  stopped  at  Dickinson's,  and  took  dinner ;  then  rode 
on  to  Sylvester  Adams's,  several  creeks  to  cross,  and  bad 
roads  to  travel.  Edward  Bailey  led  my  horse  down  a 
steep  hill,  and  the  carriage  overset ;  the  horse  struggled, 
but  kept  his  feet ;  one  shaft  broke  which  we  strapped  up ; 
and  rode  on  near  thirty  miles. 

Aug.  14.  I  brought  Isaac  Rollins  to  some  acknowl- 
edgment, and  appointed  him  to  ride  Pittsylvania,  New 
Hope,  and  Tar  River,  till  Conference.  His  greatest  ad- 
mirers saw  his  obstinacy,  and  would  have  disowned  him 
if  he  had  not  submitted ;  for  they  began  to  tire  with  his 


i8o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

lounging  about.     I  hope  this  will  be  a  warning  to  him, 
and  will  make  him  take  more  care,  and  submit  to  order. 

Aug.  17.  I  stopped  at  friend  Baker's,  being  very  ill. 
Brother  Bailey  went  to  a  chapel  ten  miles  from  this.  I 
want  to  write,  and  recover  strength,  or  I  shall  run  myself 
down.  I  thought  it  would  be  well  for  me  to  have  a 
person  with  me  always,  and  I  think  Cromwell  is  the  man. 
If  I  should  preach  a  systematical,  dry  sermon,  he  would 
pay  the  sinners  ofif.  I  rested  comfortable,  retired  often 
to  prayer,  that  God  would  go  with  me  to  the  next  circuit. 
I  suppose,  upon  a  calculation,  I  have  ridden  better  than  a 
thousand  miles  since  February  last,  when  I  was  at  quar- 
terly meeting  at  the  seaside  in  Delaware. 

Receives  Comforting  Messages 

Aug.  22.  This  day  there  came  an  account  that  the 
Southern  army  was  defeated,  and  all  taken  to  a  man, 
except  General  Gates,  which  cannot  be  all  true.  I  am 
kept  in  resignation  and  faith,  and  praying  that  God  may 
bless  my  labors,  and  bring  peace  and  union  among  the 
Methodists  in  Virginia.  1  received  comforting  letters 
from  Mr.  White  and  Mr.  Gough:  all  these  comfort  me 
in  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage.  Mr.  White  informs  me 
of  Thomas  Haskins,  a  young  man  that  was  convinced, 
who  has  a  good  education,  has  been  reading  the  law 
three  years ;  now  he  must  read  and  preach  the  gospel. 

Sept.  3.  This  day  nine  years  past  I  sailed  from  Bris- 
tol, Old  England.  Ah,  what  troubles  have  I  passed 
through  !  what  sickness  !  what  temptations  !  But  I  think, 
though  I  am  grown  more  aged,  I  have  a  better  constitu- 
tion, and  more  gifts,  and  I  think  much  more  grace.  I 
can  bear  disappointments  and  contradiction  with  greater 
ease.  Trials  are  before  me,  very  great  ones,  but  God 
hath  helped  me  hitherto.  I  can  with  greater  confidence 
trust  him  !  and,  indeed,  what  have  any  of  us  to  trust  in 
for  the  future,  except  the  living  God? 


lySo]  LOVE  FOR  ENGLAND  i8i 

Sept.  8  (Mrginia).  My  mind  is  calm;  I  have  had  close 
communion  with  God.  My  hours  of  retirement  have 
been  kept.  When  I  can  get  a  barn  or  a  preaching  house 
I  am  happy.  Though  I  have  talked  much,  I  have  kept 
my  temper.  I  feel  nothing  but  love ;  and  no  contradic- 
tion I  meet  with  makes  me  angry.  I  have  a  natural 
affection  for  my  own  countrymen ;  yet  I  can  hear  them 
called  cruel  people,  and  calmly  listen  to  threatenings  of 
slaughter  against  them.  Were  a  people  spreading  deso- 
lation with  fire  and  sword  in  England,  I,  as  an  inhabit- 
ant, whether  the  invaders  were  right  or  wrong,  would 
probably  feel  as  the  Americans  now  do,  and  use  the  same 
harsh  expressions.  Thus  I  reason,  and  cannot  therefore 
condemn ;  but  the  grace  of  God  is  sufficient  to  set  us  all 
above  the  world,  and  all  things  here. 

Is  Given  a  New  Suit  of  Clothes 

Sept.  12.  I  visited  my  friends.  These  kind  people 
have  made  me  a  dress  of  Virginia  cloth,  which  I  much 
needed,  as  my  dress  approached  to  raggedness.  I  saw 
L.  Cole,  a  serious,  good  man,  under  a  strong  bias  to  or- 
dinances, because  he  opened  his  book  on,  "They  shall  not 
profit  this  people" ;  with  this  he  was  affected. 

Sept.  13.  A  little  better  in  health.  Have  read  the 
first  volume  of  Keysler's  Travels  through  Switzerland. 
Prayer,  both  in  public  and  in  private,  has  not  been 
neglected. 

Sept.  14.  Rode  to  Mr.  Jarratt's,  and  was  kindly  re- 
ceived. 

Sept.  16.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Wesley,  at  the  desire  of  the 
Virginia  Conference,  which  had  consented  to  suspend 
the  administration  of  the  ordinances  for  one  year. 

The  answer  to  this  letter  was  made  through  Dr.  Coke, 
Richard  Whatcoat,  and  Thomas  Vasey,  in  1784,  who  all  came 
to  America  properly  ordained. 

» 

Sept.  17.     I  had  some  close  talk  with  Mr.  Jarratt ;  he 


i82  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

seems  willing  to  help  what  he  can.  and  to  come  to  the 
Conference.  My  health  is  much  restored.  Rode  to 
White's  Chapel,  a  miserable  place  it  is,  unfinished,  and 
one  part  l}'ing  open  to  the  sun.  A  company  of  young 
men  diverted  themselves  under  the  trees,  laughing  and 
mocking  while  I  discoursed  with  great  plainness  to  about 
five  hundred  people  on  Heb.  4.  2,  3.  I  was  determined, 
if  possible,  they  should  hear.  Rode  on  about  twelve 
miles  to  Lewis  Featherstone's,  a  good  man. 

Sept.  20.  I  came  to  Richard  Walters's,  sixteen  miles. 
Spoke  on  Col.  i.  26-28.  Had  light,  and  spoke  long. 
Brother  Bailey  also  spoke.  Brother  James  Foster,  a  feel- 
ing, good  soul,  worn  out  in  the  Lord's  work,  met  me 
here ;  I  felt  much  love  and  tenderness  for  him ;  he  con- 
cluded by  prayer.  ■  My  manner  is,  to  pray  in  the  morning 
for  the  prosperity  of  the  work  in  every  circuit ;  in  the 
afternoon,  for  all  the  traveling  preachers,  for  our  union, 
and  the  spirituality  of  each.  I  am  greatly  blessed  in  my 
soul  by  day  and  by  night. 

Sept.  21.  Traveled  over  rough  roads  sixteen  miles,  to 
Foster's.  I  spoke  on  2  Pet.  3.  16,  17.  The  people  are 
kind,  and  appear  loving,  but  there  is  a  great  falling 
away;  the  devil  has  not  been  idle,  and  opposers  have 
preached  to  them  water  more  than  holiness,  and  have 
thus  brought  confusion  among  the  Methodists. 

Sept.  22.  I  am  weak,  and  not  able  to  fast,  altogether ; 
I  eat  sparingly.  Rode  twenty-seven  miles,  and  came  to  a 
good  house ;  yesterday  it  was  very  warm  for  the  season. 
I  feel  the  weight  of  the  work,  the  greatness  of  my 
charge,  and  resolve  to  be  more  given  up  to  God  than 
ever.  From  Brother  Foster's  conversation,  I  am  led  to 
hope  our  breaches  will  be  healed. 

Prays  for  Preachers  and  Circuits 

Sept.  25.  I  was  much  blessed  in  private,  while  plead- 
ing for  wisdom  to  go  before  the  people,  and  for  a  spirit 


1780]  BROKEN-BACKED  CHURCH  183 

of  supplication  in  my  accustomed  morning  and  evening 
praters  for  all  the  preachers  and  circuits  in  America.  I 
begin  at  the  North  and  go  to  the  South  in  order.  He 
that  faithfully  cares  for  others,  others  will  care  for  him; 
above  all,  the  Lord,  who  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  the 
work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love  we  show  toward  the 
saints,  he  will  care  for  him. 

Led  Out  in  Preaching 

Sept.  29.  I  have  a  sense  of  God  upon  my  heart,  al- 
though little  rest,  and  much  tempted.  I  was  greatly  led 
out  in' preaching  at  Baker's;  both  parents  and  children 
wept  in  silent  tears  while  I  spoke  on  Gen.  18.  19.  Rode 
that  evening  to  the  Manakintown,  where  a  watch-night 
was  held  by  Brothers  Finney,  Bailey,  and  Foster.  I 
spoke  to  our  brethren  upon  a  firm  and  lasting  union ;  it 
was  opposed,  and  with  tears ;  but  tears  will  not  induce  me 
to  give  up  my  charge.  I  sent  certain  proposals  by  Brother 
Finney  to  the  preachers  at  their  quarterly  meeting. 

Oct.  5.  Set  off  without  any  breakfast.  Passed  on- 
ward to  Lindsey's  tavern,  inquiring  the  way  to  the 
Broken-backed  Church  ;  we  could  not  get  any  positive 
directions  until  we  came  within  eight  miles  of  it,  and 
found  it  to  be  on  this  side  of  the  fork  of  James  River, 
about  twenty  miles  distant  from  Duke's.  We  met  about 
sixty  people,  after  riding  nearly  as  many  miles.  I  spoke 
on  Gen.  18.  19.  We  crossed  the  North  River  in  a  canoe, 
and  the  carriage  was  brought  over  in  the  same  way ; 
were  kindly  received  at  Roger  Thompson's,  and  here  it 
was  the  Broken-backed  Conference  was  held,  in  which 
the  sul)ject  of  the  ordinances  was  brought  into  consid- 
eration. I  have  been  much  tried  in  this  journey  by  the 
lodging,  people,  and  weather.  Every  morning  and  even- 
ing I  pray  for  all  the  preachers  and  circuits ;  and  as  I  am 
so  led  out  to  pray  for  them  I  hope  they  will  all  be  united 
once  more  as  they  have  been. 


i84  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

Oct.  9.  Set  out  alone  for  Mumpin's.  After  riding 
about  twenty-five  miles  night  overtook  me  at  Wallace's 
mill ;  it  was  some  time  before  I  could  find  my  way,  which 
I  discovered  to  be  under  the  trunk  headrace  of  the  mill. 
Here  the  top  of  the  carriage,  being  too  high,  set  fast ;  I 
took  the  horse  out,  and  with  much  trouble  came  clear 
without  breakage  of  any  kind.  The  people  of  the  house 
were  Presbyterians ;  they  gave  me  lodging.  I  prayed 
night  and  morning  with  them. 

Meets  Two  Soldiers 

Oct.  10.  Rode  over  the  mountains  ten  miles,  came  to 
the  new  preaching  house;  spoke  on  2  Cor.  5.  17-19;  was 
much  blessed.  Here  I  saw  Robert  Wagden,  a  soldier, 
and  James  Signal,  Englishman,  captured  with  Burgoyne. 
The  first  I  saw  in  New  York  seven  years  ago ;  since  then 
he  fell,  and  was  restored  at  the  barracks  in  Albemarle 
when  a  prisoner. 

Oct.  13.  I  rode  home  about  ten  miles  with  Brother 
Fry ;  he  is  a  serious  man.  My  carriage  broke,  and  his 
overseer  mended  it  very  well ;  meantime  I  rested,  and 
read  at  times  the  Valley  of  Lilies  of  a  Kempis ;  it  is  much 
in  the  style  of  his  Pattern  or  Lnitation.  I  wonder  Mr. 
Wesley  has  never  abridged  this  work. 

Oct.  15.  I  rode  to  Roberts's,  under  the  mountains, 
about  ten  miles.  Spoke  to  about  five  hundred  people ;  I 
was  zealous,  but  the  people  languid.  A  certain  kind  of 
preaching,  of  which  these  people  have  lately  heard  much, 
leaves  the  most  stupid  souls,  to  my  mind,  that  I  find  any- 
where. [  remember  all  the  preachers  and  societies  twice 
a  day.  We  had  to  ride  back  to  Henry  Fry's  in  the  rain, 
where  a  warm  welcome  awaited  us. 

Oct.  18.  Rode  eighteen  miles  to  the  Broken-backed 
Church ;  got  in  a  little  after  twelve  o'clock.  Preached  on 
Zeph.  I.  12.  Here  I  received  the  melancholy  tidings  of 
the  death  of  my  companion  and  friend,  Edward  Bailey ; 


1780J  WAR  RUMORS  185 

it  was  very  distressing  to  me ;  riding  together  so  long  had 
created  a  great  sympathy  between  us.  He  died  on  Tues- 
day last,  about  five  o'clock,  in  full  confidence ;  he  spoke  to 
the  last,  and  bore  a  testimony  to  the  goodness  of  God.  He 
would  sometimes  get  upon  his  knees  in  the  bed,  weak  as 
he  was,  and  pray.  It  troubles  me  to  reflect  that  he  was 
neglected  so  long;  yet  it  was  unavoidable.  It  was  a 
sorrowful  quarterly  meeting  to  me :  few  people,  they 
lifeless,  and  my  dear  friend  dead !  I  spoke  to  the  preach- 
ers about  a  union. 

Oct.  21.  I  set  out  as  soon  as  it  was  light,  and  came 
about  three  o'clock  to  the  widow  Granger's,  and  Ground 
Squirrel  Bridge,  a  distance  of  forty  miles.  I  travel  very 
heavily  now. 

Mourns  for  His  Friend 

I  have  lost  my  poor  Bailey ;  so  suddenly  called  away ! 
He  desired  me  to  see  into  his  temporal  matters,  for  his 
poor  sister,  and  wife,  and  children.  I  have  reason  to 
praise  God  that  I  have  health  under  such  fatigue.  I  said 
I  should  have  trouble,  before  I  went  into  Fluvanna;  yet 
I  little  thought  my  friend  would  die  there.  If  my  affec- 
tions were  naturally  tender  I  should  be  bathed  in  tears, 
for  I  have  great  cause  to  weep;  but  the  Lord  hath  or- 
dered ;  it  may  be  that  I  suffer  more  than  those  who  weep 
away  distress.  I  was  ready  to  say,  "None  shall  ride  with 
me  hereafter."  We  have  lost  three  useful  preachers 
within  one  year. 

Oct.  23.  I  wrote  to  the  preachers  jointly  and  severally 
about  a  union. 

Oct.  24.  Rode  to  Mr.  Meredith's,  thirty-five  miles. 
We  were  entangled  in  the  way ;  came  in  late,  leaving  the 
carriage  in  the  woods.  We  heard  a  rumor  of  the  British 
landing  up  James  River ;  I  was  afraid  they  would  inter- 
rupt me  in  the  circuit  appointments. 

Oct.  25.    I  met  the  society;  some  spoke,  and  the  Lord 


i86  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

blessed  us.  At  night  the  alarm  was  made  for  the  seventh 
division  of  the  militia.  The  rumor  was  that  there  were 
five  thousand  of  the  British  troops ;  that  they  had  torn 
two  counties  to  pieces,  and  had  been  within  six  miles  of 
Williamsburg.  As  my  appointments  lay  down  that  way, 
I  put  off  to  the  north  across  the  river. 

Oct.  27.  Rode  on  to  Fredericksburg ;  my  horse  failed 
through  fatigue,  bad  feed,  and  not  enough  of  it.  I 
stopped  and  fed  by  the  way ;  mistaking  my  road,  I  met  a 
serious  man,  and  spoke  to  him  about  his  soul ;  it  may  be 
the  losing  my  way  was  ordered  by  Providence.  Came  to 
Garratt's,  at  Stafford  Courthouse ;  fell  in  with  a  Presby- 
terian, an  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Pilmoor;  I  spoke  freely 
to  him,  and  had  prayer ;  two  young  men  from  Winchester 
joined  us.  Saturday  morning,  after  paying  eight  con- 
tinental dollars  for  my  horse,  and  my  supper  and  bed,  I 
rode  on  to  Dumfries,  about  twelve  miles.  Rode  on  four 
miles  farther,  fed  my  horse,  and  got  a  cup  of  boiled  milk 
for  myself;  here  my  paper  money  failed,  and  I  was 
obliged  to  pay  in  silver.  Rode  on,  carrying  my  corn,  and 
fed  upon  the  road.  Missing  my  way  to  William  Adams's, 
when  on  the  south  side  of  Colchester,  I  went  down  the 
state  road  within  two  miles  of  Alexandria,  making  my 
journey  near  fifty  miles ;  my  horse  was  much  fatigued, 
and  myself  in  a  fever  with  hard  riding. 

An  Autttmnal  Storm 

Oct.  30  (Maryland).  Crossed  Gerogetown  ferry; 
rode  on  in  great  peace,  and  came  to  John  Worthington's 
about  five  o'clock,  after  a  ride  of  thirty  miles.  I  was 
kindly  entertained.  I  called  at  Mr.  Thomas  Dorsey's ; 
kind  people.  I  breakfasted  with  them.  I  put  forward 
to  Baltimore ;  when  within  about  two  miles  there  came 
up  an  autumnal  storm ;  there  was  fear  of  the  trees  falling, 
and  that  the  wind  would  overset  the  carriage.  I  came 
in   safe,   stopped   an   hour,   and   proceeded   on   to   Mr. 


1780]  FOOTSTEPS  OF  PROVIDENCE  187 

Goui^h's,   and   arrived   between   eight  and   nine   o'clock. 
There  has  been  some  snow  to-day,  and  the  night  is  cold. 

Money  Gone 

I  have  spent  my  stock  of  money,  three  guineas  and  two 
half  johannas,  given  me  by  Mr.  Gough  and  Mrs. 
Chamier ;  two  guineas  and  a  half,  and  a  half-crown,  went 
in  Virginia. 

Nov.  3.  I  stopped  a  while  at  Dr.  Ridgeley's,  to  deliver 
a  message  to  him  from  Colonel  Dorsey,  of  Elk  Ridge,  in 
Maryland.  While  tarrying  after  dinner  Dr.  McGaw 
came  in.  I  went  home  with  the  doctor,  and  was  kindly 
received.  The  doctor's  intentions  were  not  to  go  to  the 
quarterly  meeting;  but  having  this  opportunity,  I  went 
and  took  him  along.  It  was  one  o'clock  before  we  ar- 
rived; about  three  hundred  people  had  been  waiting  for 
VIS.  ■  Mr.  McGaw  preached  an  excellent  sermon  on,  "Who 
shall  ascend  the  hill  of  the  Lord?"  Brothers  Hartley  and 
Glendenning  exhorted.  We  all  stayed  at  Mr.  Barratt's ; 
Mr.  McGaw  prayed  with  much  affection ;  we  parted  in 
great  love. 

Nov.  5.  We  had  between  one  and  two  thousand  peo- 
ple ;  our  house,  forty-two  by  forty-eight,  was  crowded 
above  and  below,  and  numbers  still  remained  outside. 
Our  love  feast  lasted  about  two  hours ;  some  spoke  of  the 
sanctifying  grace  of  God.  I  preached  on  John  3.  16-18. 
Brothers  Pedicord  and  Cromwell  exhorted. 

Nov.  6.  I  preached  to  about  four  hundred  people  on 
2  Chron.  8.  18,  and  had  liberty;  I  spoke  of  the  necessity 
of  getting  and  keeping  the  power  of  religion.  William 
Glendenning  exhorted  afterward ;  then  we  parted.  I  see 
the  footsteps  of  Providence  in  my  coming  back.  The 
people  regretted  my  absence,  and  the  preachers  would 
have  been  at  variance  one  with  another.  William  Glen- 
denning pleaded  hard  to  come  to  Dover;  but  I  did  not 
think  him  so  fit  as  Thomas  Chew.    Brother  Glendenning 


i88  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

is  a  good  little  man,  and  though  his  utterance  is  less 
strongly  marked  with  the  Scotch  than  formerly,  it  is  not 
yet  good.  The  British  had  almost  thrown  themselves  in 
my  way  on  my  return  through  Virginia ;  I  wished  not  to 
fall  into  their  hands ;  they  left  it  soon  after  I  came  away. 
Here  there  has  been  good  done  in  my  absence ;  among 
believers  we  have  been  very  solemn,  and  the  work  of  God 
has  been  deep  among  the  brethren ;  not  so  in  Virginia ; 
the  preachers  there  do  not  know  how  to  preach  sanctifi- 
cation  for  want  of  experience.  I  stationed  the  preachers 
thus :  Thomas  Chew  and  the  two  Cromwells,  for  Kent ; 
for  Dover,  Pedicord  and  Law ;  Roe  and  J.  White,  for 
Sussex ;  William  Glendenning,  Stephen  Black,  Joseph 
Wyatt,  for  Kent  in  Maryland;  and  Hartley  and  Everett, 
for  Dorset. 

Laments  Want  of  Public  Exercise 

Nov.  7.  I  was  closely  engaged  in  reading  a  volume  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  Journal  of  above  three  hundred  pages ; 
ended  it  on  Wednesday  morning.  I  felt  dejection  of 
spirits  for  want  of  public  exercise ;  I  have  had  so  much 
of  this  that  within  this  six  months  I  have  traveled,  ac- 
cording to  my  computation,  two  thousand  six  hundred 
and  seventy-one  miles ;  yet  am  uneasy  when  still.  I  pro- 
posed meeting  the  children  when  I  came  again ;  I  ap- 
pointed a  place  for  them  to  sit,  and  desired  the  parents 
to  send  a  note  with  each,  letting  me  know  the  temper, 
and  those  vices  to  which  the  child  might  be  most  subject. 

Nov.  8.  Rode  to  Perdin's,  calling  at  Caleb  Furby's 
and  Daniel  James's ;  at  Perdin's  lectured  on  i  Thess.  3.  6. 
Engaged  the  friends  to  stibscribe  seven  hundred  weight 
of  pork  toward  the  meetinghouse  at  Barratt's. 

Mr.  Barratt  had  given  the  land  for  this  church,  which  was 
the  first  Methodist  chapel  built  in  Delaware,  and  became 
famous  as  the  place  where  Asbury  and  Coke  met  for  the  first 
time. 


lySo] 


BARRATT'S  CHAPEL 


189 


I  called  at  Combs's,  and  had  preaching  there,  althongh 
the  master  of  the  house  differs  from  us  in  some  points. 
While  we  are  busy,  others  are  not  entirely  quiet ;  others, 
less  in  the  habit  of  teaching  by  stated  speaking,  can  yet 
disseminate  their  books. 


BARRATT  S    CHAPEL. 


Nov.  10.  This  day  I  arranged  my  papers  containing 
a  brief  account  of  the  beginning  and  progress  of  our 
divisions :  it  was  transcribed  into  a  book  by  Caleb  Ped- 
icord. 

No\^  II.  I  wrote  to  ^Ir.  Gough,  !Mr.  Lynch,  and  Mr. 
Skinner.  To-day  the  quarterly  meeting  begins  at  Car- 
oline. William  Glendenning  has  handed  me  a  book 
written  by  Jeremiah  r>urroughes,  in  the  time  of  the  Com- 


I90  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1780 

monwealth,  upon  heart-divisions,  and  the  evil  of  the 
times ;  in  this  work  I  promise  myself  good  arguments 
against  our  separating  brethren.  The  Lord  does  greatly 
carry  on  his  work;  soi'ne  little  wildfire,  a  few  disorderly 
walkers.    Read  a  volume  of  Mr.  Wesley's  Journal. 

Nov.  12.  The  quarterly  meeting  for  Kent  in  Alary- 
land  was  large  and  powerful ;  there  were  twelve  preach- 
ers present.  I  am  kept  in  peace  of  soul,  expecting  my 
ministering  brethren,  that  we  may  consult  about  the  work 
of  God.  Samuel  Roe  is  going  to  Sussex — one  that  has 
happily  escaped  the  separating  spirit  and  party  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  snares  laid  for  his  feet;  and  so  also  did 
poor  William  Spencer  of  late  years. 

Reads  Wesley's  Journal 

Nov.  13.  I  read  Mr.  Wesley's  Journal.  In  the  after- 
noon the  preachers  came  to  consult  further  about  the 
stationing.  They  all  agreed  to  my  first  appointment, 
except  one  brother;  he  was  unwilling  to  go  back  to  Bal- 
timore, although  we  had  no  one  so  well  qualified.  On 
Monday  evening  and  Tuesday  we  met  and  conferred, 
when  the  judgment  of  the  preachers  prevailed  against 
F.  Garrettson.  Our  appointments  were  as  follows: 
Kent  in  Maryland,  Glendenning,  S.  Black,  Joseph 
Wyatt ;  Kent  in  Delaware,  Thomas  Chew,  Joseph  and 
James  Cromwell;  Sussex,  S.  Roe,  J.  Martin,  J.  White; 
Dorset,-  Pedicord. 

Nov.  16.  I  examined  Joseph  Everett,  as  to  his  call 
and  qualifications,  his  circumstances,  and  his  knowing 
and  loving  the  Methodist  doctrine ;  he  gave  full  satisfac- 
tion ;  we,  however,  left  the  matter  in  suspense  until  Caleb 
Pedicord  goes  down,  and  we  shall  know  from  him  what 
call  there  is  in  Dorset. 

Nov.  17.  A  day  of  fasting.  We  all  parted  after  much 
business.  S.  Roe  went  to  Sussex ;  the  two  Cromwells  for 
the  circuit    (Kent  in  Delaware);  Pedicord  to   Dorset; 


1780]  DAY  OF  THANKSGIVING  191 

myself  to  go  through  Kent  and  Sussex,  then  to  the 
Jerseys,  Philadelphia,  and  Chester.  I  wrote  to  Watters, 
Dudley,  and  Debruler. 

Nov.  23.  Joseph  Cromwell  parted  from  me  to  go  into 
his  circuit.  Mr.  Coleman  came  up  with  me  from  \'ir- 
ginia,  either  to  take  charge  of  Dover  school  or  to  preach  ; 
he  expressed  great  satisfaction  in  the  people  of  these 
parts.  I  went  to  see  Mr.  Logwood ;  I  have  been  waiting 
some  time  for  his  coming  to  the  Lord ;  he  hath  long 
stood  it  out,  but  I  believe  he  is  now  deeply  engaged,  and 
so  are  almost  all  the  adults  of  his  family.  I  met  a  man 
who  took  occasion  to  abuse  me  as  ringleader  of  sedition 
with  many  hard  sayings ;  he  was  in  his  cups ;  I  pitied, 
forgave,  and  prayed  for  him. 

Nov.  24.  I  rode  ten  miles  to  Air.  Boyer's,  and 
preached  on  Phil.  3.  4.  I  spoke  to  the  society,  addressing 
them  with  respect  to  the  rules  and  their  loose  walk. 
Answered  a  very  affectionate  letter  from  John  Finney, 
relative  to  the  union  in  Virginia. 

Nov.  25.  We  rode  to  Mr.  McGaw's,  and  had  some 
talk  with  him  about  his  undertaking  a  plan  for  the  edu- 
cation of  youth,  John  Coleman  being  proposed  as  his 
assistant. 

Dec.  6.  Rode  twelve  miles  to  Jarratt's,  to  preach  the 
funeral  of  Edward  Collins.  For  about  eighteen  months 
past  he  has  attended  our  preaching ;  was  convinced  of 
sin,  but  had  never  joined  us ;  in  death  was  blest  with  the 
peace  of  God,  departing  in  the  faith. 

Dec.  7.  This  is  a  day  appointed  for  prayer  and  thanks- 
giving by  the  government ;  I  intend  to  improve  it  for  the 
church  and  states. 

Dec.  8.  Was  under  dejection ;  read  thirty  chapters 
of  Isaiah.  Rode  to  Dill's ;  had  about  forty  people. 
Fasted,  and  intended  to  spend  great  part  of  the  night  in 
prayer,  but  felt  weak  through  want  of  rest.  I  spent 
better  than  an   hour  in   fervent  prayer  and  was   mucli 


192  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1781 

blessed,  having  my  soul  divinely  filled  with  love  when  I 
lay  down.  Rose  about  five  o'clock  in  better  health ; 
passed  some  time  in  fervent  prayer  for  the  whole  work — 
the  preachers  and  people. 

Freeborn  Garrettson  said  of  him:   "He  prayed  the  best,  and 
prayed  the  most,  of  any  man  I  ever  knew." 

Dec.  10.  I  went  to  Mr.  Thome's  church  and  heard 
Mr.  Thorne;  he  preached  a  good  sermon  on  the  passion 
of  our  Lord,  on,  "Whom  having  not  seen,  ye  love ;"  the 
people  seemed  very  solemn. 

Dec.  20.  I  preached  to  a  faithful  people  at  T.  Lay- 
ton's,  on  Matt.  3.  9,  10.  The  Methodists,  blessed  be  God! 
do  grow  as  well  as  the  wicked ;  their  little  stock  in- 
creases;  I  am  pleased  with  their  temporal,  and  rejoice  in 
their  spiritual,  prosperity. 

Dec.  23.  I  attended  the  funeral  of  E.  T.,  a  man  that 
had  been  convinced  of  sin  many  years  ago,  but  had  lost 
his  convictions.  About  a  twelvemonth  past  God  made 
use  of  the  Methodists  to  reach  his  heart  again ;  he  sought 
the  Lord,  joined  our  society,  and  at  the  last  quarterly 
meeting  appeared  to  be  a  very  happy  man.  He  was 
poor — persecuted  by  his  wife,  children,  and  family;  he 
was  so  hardly  treated  that  scarcely  could  he  live  with 
them;  he  was  sensible  of  his  death,  and  died  in  peace. 

Letters  from  Preachers 

Dec.  24.  I  received  a  letter  from  F.  Garrettson,  and 
another  from  Thomas  S.  Chew,  who  promise  me  their 
filial  obedience  in  the  gospel.  On  the  same  day  a  letter 
from  W.  Glendenning,  who  is  well  satisfied  with  his  sta- 
tion, and  mentions  a  letter  from  R.  L.  Cole,  who  says 
the  jarring  string  is  broken,  and  those  who  were  friends 
at  first  are  friends  at  last,  in  Virginia.  I  rejoiced  for  the 
consolation,  and  many  more  will  rejoice  with  me.  To 
God  shall  be  all  praise ! 

Jan.  1-4,  1781.     Pain!    Pain!    Pain!    The  fifth  found 


i88ij  CALLS  ON  THE  GOVERNOR  193 

myself  considerably  amended,  so  that  I  sat  up  and  did  a 
little  business. 

Jan.  15.  Rose  early;  spent  my  usual  time  in  retire- 
ment. Preached  to  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  people 
at  S.'s ;  I  find  their  prejudices  abated,  although  the  work 
on  their  hearts  is  not  deep.  My  soul  enjoys  peace;  I 
was  led  out  in  prayer  for  the  whole  work  of  God,  the 
circuits  and  the  preachers ;  this  I  do  every  morning  as 
my  first  work. 

Jan.  21.  Mr.  McGaw  preached  at  Barratt's  Chapel, 
and  was  assisted  by  Mr.  Thorne  in  the  administration  of 
the  Lord's  Supper ;  it  was  a  gracious  time,  and  I  hope  it 
was  not  received  in  vain. 

Asbtiry's  Horse  on  a  Race  Track 

Jan.  22.     On  my  way  to  P 's  I  came  on  a  race 

ground,  where  the  sons  of  Belial  had  been  practicing 
my  horse ;  he  ran  away  with  me  when  he  came  to  the 
end  of  the  paths,  but  stopped,  and  I  received  no  harm. 
I  lifted  my  heart  to  God ;  and  by  the  mercy  of  the  Lord 
he  stopped  near  a  point  of  woods,  which,  had  he  entered, 
I  might  probably  have  lost  my  life.  My  heart  was 
deeply  humbled  before  the  Lord,  who  preserved  me  from 
such  imminent  danger. 

Feb.  4.  I  preached  (Dover),  and  had  some  of  the 
Coimcil  and  members  of  Assembly  to  hear  me.  I  spoke 
plainly,  intending  my  discourse  as  a  vindication  of  the 
doctrine  of  the  Methodists. 

Feb.  5.  On  my  way  to  quarterly  meeting,  held  at  the 
Valley  preachinghouse,  I  called  on  his  excellency  Gov- 
ernor Rodney,  to  sign  my  certificate,  which  he  did  with 
great  readiness  and  politeness.  At  the  meeting  we  found 
some  faithful  souls,  and  the  work  revives  among  them ; 
they  were  greatly  led  out  to  speak  in  the  love  feast,  six 
or  seven  standing  up  as  witnesses  of  a  present  salvation 
from  all  sin. 


194  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1781 

Feb.  10  (Pennsylvania).  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  the 
work  of  God  is  deepening  and  widening  in  the  Jerseys. 
My  old  friends  here  in  Philadelphia  appear  loving  to  me, 
but  they  are  not  united  as  they  ought  to  be. 

Feb.  13.  After  casting  in  my  mite,  by  saying  and  do- 
ing what  I  could  in  Philadelphia,  I  left  my  kind  friends, 
and  set  off  for  New  Jersey. 

Benjamin  Abbott 

Feb.  14  (New  Jersey).  I  met  with  and  heard  Ben- 
jamin Abbott;  his  words  came  with  great  power.  Over 
in  Chester,  he  informs  me,  twenty  were  renewed  in  love, 
and  eight  on  this  side ;  the  people  fall  to  the  ground 
under  him,  and  sink  into  a  passive  state,  helpless,  stiff, 
motionless.  Pie  tried  to  attach  himself  to  two  other 
sects,  but  had  such  struggles  within  that  he  was  forced 
back ;  the  Lord  would  not  let  him  be  anything  but  a 
Methodist:  such  is  his  account.  He  is  a  man  of  uncom- 
mon zeal,  and  (although  his  language  has  somewhat  of 
incorrectness)  of  good  utterance. 

Stevens   says   that   at   this   period   Abbott   was    "in   many- 
respects  the  most  remarkable  evangehst  in  the  eventful  field. 

Mar.  2.  I  have  a  little  respite  from  the  haste  I  have 
been  in  for  some  time  past;  nevertheless  I  have  read  the 
first  and  second  volumes  of  Rollin's  Ancient  History 
(containing  about  three  hundred  pages  each)  in  about 
two  weeks. 

Mar.  3.  Rode  to  Philadelphia,  where  I  preached  but 
twice.  I  met  the  society,  which  was  made  a  blessing  to 
some ;  and  I  am  persuaded  that  my  stay  would  be  a 
means  of  the  prosperity  of  the  society  here ;  but  it  is  pos- 
sible I  may  be  more  useful  where  I  am  going. 

Mar.  6.  Read  the  fourth  volume  of  Rollin's  Ancient 
History;  it  contains  the  memorable  life  of  Socrates,  who 
was  certainly  a  wise  man ;  but,  as  the  worthy  historian 
remarks,  there  were  many  blemishes  in  his  character. 


1781]  EASTER  SUNDAY  195 

Mar.  14.  Rode  twelve  miles  into  the  forest  to  preach 
to  the  remnant  of  poor  Demour's  flock.  I.  Demour,  as 
well  as  S.  Howe,  died  a  martyr  to  labor  and  loud  speak- 
ing; they  were  both  disciples  of  good  ]\Ir.  Evans.  He 
preached  the  last  day  of  his  life ;  afterward  his  people 
melted  away  for  want  of  preaching  and  discipline ;  we 
have  been  sent  for,  and  owned  and  blessed  among  them. 
I  have  heard  of  a  great  work  among  the  Germans  toward 
Lancaster. 

Apr.  14.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began  at  the  Forest 
chapel ;  the  congregation  was  large.  I  spoke  first,  and 
was  followed  by  Brothers  Chew,  Rufif,  Cox,  and  Lam- 
bert ;  the  people  were  quickened  and  appeared  much 
alive  to  God.  The  next  day,  being  Easter  Sunday,  our 
love  feast  began  at  nine,  and  public  preaching  at  eleven 
o'clock.  After  meeting  we  rode  about  twenty  miles  to 
Brother  White's,  where  about  twenty  preachers  met  to- 
gether to  hold  a  Conference.  Thence  I  attended  Kent 
quarterly  meeting,  on  the  East  Shore  of  Maryland. 

Conference  in  Baltimore 

Apr.  24.  Our  Conference  began  in  Baltimore,  where 
several  of  the  preachers  attended  from  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina.  All  but  one  agreed  to  return  to  the  old 
plan,  and  give  up  the  administration  of  the  ordinances. 
Our  troubles  now  seem  over  from  that  quarter,  and  there 
appears  to  be  a  considerable  change  in  the  preachers 
from  North  to  South.  All  was  conducted  in  peace  and 
love. 

It  appears  that  the  Conference  began  at  Choptank,   Dela- 
ware, April  16,  and  adjourned  to  meet  in  Baltimore,  April  24. 

Apr.  30.  I  am  relieved  in  mind  relative  to  my  visiting 
Virginia,  and  my  soul  is  kept  in  peace,  while  I  feel  power 
to  trust  the  Lord  with  my  all. 

May  I.    Wrote  to  my  father  and  Mr.  Wesley. 

May  8.    I  was  preparing  to  set  off  to  Virginia,  but  my 


196  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1781 

horse  failed.  I  hardly  know  how  to  proceed ;  Providence 
seems  dark.  I  doubt  if  I  can  ride  on  horseback,  and  yet 
I  am  unwilling  to  give  up  my  visit  to  the  South. 

May  12.  Reached  Mr.  Adams's  about  eight  o'clock 
at  night ;  I  always  come  to  this  house  weary,  but  gen- 
erally get  my  body  and  soul  refreshed.  I  missed  my 
watch,  but  found  it  again  at  the  door  where  I  had 
alighted ;  my  horse  had  trodden  it  and  bruised  the  case, 
and  not  broken  the  crystal,  without  otherwise  injuring  it. 

May  22.  We  set  off  for  Rectortown,  being  informed 
it  was  about  twenty-two  miles ;  we  found  it  nearer  thirty. 
I  reached  there,  weary  and  dispirited,  about  half  past 
two  o'clock. 

May  31.  My  soul  enjoyed  peace:  I  was  blessed  in 
reading  the  thirty-seventh  psalm,  and  was  also  com- 
forted in  reading  a  few  pages  of  Bishop  Hopkins,  on 
the  words,  "Count  it  all  joy  when  ye  fall  into  divers 
temptations." 

June  2.  Preached  at  Martinsburg;  afterward  re- 
turned to  Brother  Bruce's;  he  is  a  lily  among  the  thorns. 

June  5.  Had  a  rough  ride  over  hills  and  dales  to 
Guest's.  Here  Brother  Ignatius  met  me,  and  gave  an 
agreeable  account  of  the  work  on  the  South  Branch  of 
Potomac. 

June  6.  We  had  twelve  miles  to  R.'s,  along  a  bushy, 
hilly  road.  A  poor  woman  with  a  little  horse,  without  a 
saddle,  outwent  us  up  and  down  the  hills,  and  when  she 
came  to  the  place  appointed  the  Lord  met  with  and 
blessed  her  soul. 

June  7.  I  set  out  for  the  South  Branch  of  Potomac — 
a  country  of  mountains  and  natural  curiosities.  We 
found  some  difficulty  in  crossing  Great  Capon  River; 
three  men  very  kindly  carried  us  over  in  a  canoe,  and 
afterward  rode  our  horses  over  the  stream,  without  fee 
or  reward.  About  five  o'clock  we  reached  W.  R.'s ;  I 
laid  me  down  to  rest  on  a  chest,  and,  using  my  clothes 


lySr]  A  HANGING  ROCK  197 

for  covering,   slept   [jretty    well ;   here    I    fouiKl   need   of 
patience. 

June  8.  Not  being  able  to  cross  the  South  Branch, 
we  had  to  bear  away  through  the  mountains,  and  to  go 
up  one  of  about  two  hundred  yards  elevation ;  in  some 
places  the  breaks  in  the  slate  served  for  steps,  in  other 
parts  of  the  ascent  there  were  one.  We  at  length  reached 
the  place  appointed,  and  preached  to  about  twenty,  as  I 
think,  prayerless  people,  on  Isa.  55.  6,  7.  I  hope  some 
felt  the  Word. 

A  Marvel  of  Nature 

June  10.  I  preached  at  eleven  o'clock  to  about  two 
hundred  people  with  a  degree  of  freedom.  I  then  rode 
to  R.  Williams's.  On  my  way  I  had  a  view  of  a  hanging 
rock  that  appears  like  a  castle  wall,  about  three  hundred 
feet  high,  and  looks  as  if  it  had  been  built  with  square 
slate  stones ;  at  first  glance  a  traveler  would  be  ready  to 
fear  it  would  fall  on  him.  I  had  about  three  hundred 
people ;  but  there  were  so  many  wicked  whisky  drinkers, 
who  brought  with  them  so  much  of  the  power  of  the 
devil,  that  I  had  but  little  satisfaction  in  preaching. 

June  ii.  From  Williams's  I  crossed  the  South 
Branch  and  went  to  Patterson  Creek.  I  came  to  a  Dutch 
settlement;  the  people  love  preaching,  but  do  not  under- 
stand class  meeting,  because  they  are  not  enough  con- 
versant with  the  English  tongue,  and  we  cannot  all  do  as 
J.  Hagerty  and  H.  Wydner,  who  speak  both  languages ; 
could  we  get  a  Dutch  preacher  or  two  to  travel  with  us, 
I  am  persuaded  we  should  have  a  good  work  among  the 
Dutch.  I  love  these  people ;  they  are  kind  in  their  way. 
T  am  now  in  a  land  of  valleys  and  mountains,  about  ten 
or  fifteen  miles  from  the  foot  of  the  Alleghany — a 
mountain  that,  at  this  part  of  it,  is  tw'o  days'  journey 
across ;  thither  some  of  our  preachers  are  going  to  seek 
the  outcasts  of  the  people. 


198  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [178 1 

June  20.  We  had  hard  work  crossing  the  Fork 
Mountain,  being  sometimes  obHged  to  walk  where  it 
was  too  steep  to  ride.  Here  is  a  spring  remarkable  for 
its  depth,  and  the  quantity  of  water  it  discharges  suffi- 
cient for  a  mill  within  two  hundred  yards  from  the 
source,  which  sometimes  in  freshets  throws  its  mass  of 
waters  considerably  above  the  level  of  the  surface. 

Wonderful  Caves 

June  21.  Last  evening  I  rode  a  mile  and  a  half  to  see 
some  of  the  greatest  natural  curiosities  my  eyes  ever  be- 
held :  they  were  two  caves,  about  two  hundred  yards 
from  each  other;  their  entrances  were,  as  in  similar 
cases,  narrow  and  descending,  gradually  widening 
toward  the  interior,  and  opening  into  lofty  chambers, 
supported,  to  appearance,  by  basaltic  pillars.  In  one  of 
these  I  sung,  "Still  out  of  the  deepest  abyss."  The 
sound  was  wonderful.  There  were  stalactites  resembling 
the  pipes  of  an  organ,  which,  when  our  guide,  Father 
Ellsworth,  struck  with  a  stick,  emitted  a  melodious 
sound,  with  variations  according  to  their  size ;  walls,  like 
our  old  churches ;  resemblances  to  the  towers  adjoining 
their  belfries  ;  and  the  natural  gallery,  which  we  ascended 
with  difficulty.  All  to  me  was  new,  solemn,  and  awfully 
grand.  There  were  parts  which  we  did  not  explore — so 
deep,  so  damp,  and  near  night.  I  came  away  filled  with 
wonder,  with  humble  praise  and  adoration.  There  are 
but  two  men  in  the  society  at  Lost  River  able  to  bear 
arms ;  they  were  both  drafted  to  go  into  the  army. 

July  13.  I  have  kept  close  to-day,  and  have  read  two 
hundred  pages  of  Baxter's  Saint's  Rest ;  surely  this  is  a 
most  valuable  book,  a  book  I  should  like  to  read  once 
a  quarter. 

July  16.  We  set  out  through  the  mountains  for 
quarterly  meeting.  It  was  a  very  warm  day,  and  part  of 
our    company    stopped    after    thirty    miles'    traveling; 


1781J  NIGHT  ON  THE  MOUNTAIN  199 

Brother  William  P'arlri(li;c  and  myself  kept  on  until 
night  overtook  us  in  the  mountain,  among  rocks  and 
woods,  and  dangers  on  all  sides  surrounding  us.  We 
concluded  it  most  safe  to  secure  our  horses  and  quietly 
await  the  return  of  day ;  so  we  lay  down  and  slept  among 
the  rocks,  although  much  annoyed  by  the  gnats.  Next 
day  I  met  with  several  preachers,  with  wdiom  I  spent 
some  time  in  conversation  about  the  work  of  God. 

July  20.  I  had  some  liberty  on  2  Cor.  6.  2.  I  have 
been  obliged  to  sleep  on  the  floor  every  night  since  I 
slept  in  the  mountains.  Yesterday  I  rode  twenty-seven 
miles,  and  to-day  thirty. 

July  30.  Attended  a  c[uarterly  meeting  at  Leesburg. 
I  gave  a  brief  account  of  the  Methodists,  who  and  what 
they  were,  and  repelled  some  charges  brought  against 
them  here.  At  twelve  o'clock  Brother  Ellis  preached  a 
solid,  good  sermon  on,  "Every  man  that  hath  this  hope  in 
him  purifieth  himself,  as  he  is  pure." 

Aug.  7  (Maryland).  Our  quarterly  meeting  began 
at  Charles  Penn's,  near  Seneca.  On  Wednesday  many 
gave  testimony  to  the  goodness  of  God  in  the  love  feast. 
I  preached  a  long  sermon  to  many  people  assembled  in  a 
barn.  I  hear  the  Word  of  the  Lord  greatly  revives  and 
spreads  in  Dorset :  there  is  some  opposition,  but  God  is 
with  the  young  preachers,  who  speak  like  old  men.  It 
appears  as  if  the  whole  peninsula  would  be  Christianized. 

A  Package  of  Letters 

Aug.  31.  I  received  a  packet  of  letters  from  the  Penin- 
sula, by  which  I  learn  that  the  work  of  God  still  prospers 
there ;  that  persecution,  as  a  necessary  consequence, 
rages  with  great  violence ;  and  that  two  or  three  of  the 
preachers  are  unable  to  preach  through  weakness  of  body. 

Sept.  3.  I  visited  the  Bush  chapel.  The  people  here 
once  left  us  to  follow  another:  time  was  when  the 
labors  of  their  leader  were  made  a  blessing  to  them  :  but 


200  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1781 

pride  is  a  busy  sin.  He  is  now  no  more :  upon  the  whole, 
I  am  incHned  to  think  the  Lord  took  him  away  in  judg- 
ment, because  he  was  in  a  way  to  do  hurt  to  his  cause ; 
and  that  he  saved  him  in  mercy,  because  from  his  death- 
bed conversation  he  appears  to  have  had  hope  in  his  end. 

Smith,  in  his  Life  of  Asbury,  thinks  this  an  allusion  to 
Strawbridge,  and  expresses  the  wish  that  the  paragraph  had 
not  been  written. 

Sept.  5.  I  preached  to  about  three  hundred  people 
at  Deer  Creek  with  a  good  degree  of  freedom,  and  re- 
joiced to  find  that  my  old  friends  continued  faithful. 

Sept.  9.  After  riding  twenty  miles  I  preached  at 
Jones's  on  the  Manor,  to  about  six  hundred  people,  with 
great  liberty ;  the  audience  were  still  and  attentive.  Mr. 
Gough  spoke  after  me. 

Sept.  10.  I  learn  that  the  Lord  is  reviving  his  work 
on  the  Eastern  Shore,  more  or  less,  in  every  circuit. 
The  wicked  persecute,  and  Satan  rages  in  Dorset ;  but 
God  will  carry  on  his  own  work  and  maintain  his  own 
cause. 

Sept.  ii.  My  soul  enjoys  more  fervor  of  spirit  than 
T  have  known  for  some  years;  I  also  feel  a  greater  care 
for  the  circuit  preachers,  and  for  the  work  of  God  in 
general.  I  spent  part  of  my  time  in  marking  Baxter's 
Cure  for  Church  Divisions  through. 

This  suggested  his  own  little  work  entitled  The  Causes,  Evils, 
and  Cures  of  Heart  and  Church  Divisions.      Reprinted  1849. 

I  have  little  leisure  for  anything  but  prayer;  seldom 
are  there  at  my  command  more  than  two  hours  in  the 
day,  and  that  space  I  wish  to  spend  in  retired  meditation 
and  prayer.  Riding,  preaching,  class  meeting,  leave  but 
little  for  reading  or  waiting,  and  not  always  enough  for 
prayer;  something  might  be  gained  could  I  pore  over  a 
book  on  horseback,  as  Mr.  Wesley  does  in  England,  but 
this  our  roads  forbid. 

Sept.  25.     Rode  to  York,  Pennsylvania.     I  was  met 


lySiJ  IN  PHILADELPHIA  201 

by  Mr.  Raiickle,  who  was  once  a  Methodist,  but  now  a 
Gennan  Presbyterian  minister.  Mr.  Ranckle  and  Mr. 
Wagner  appear  as  if  the}-  wished  to  be  friendly ;  but 
they  fear  us,  lest  we  should  get  the  good  will  of  the 
people,  and  we  should  join  them  to  our  societies.  My 
purpose  is  only  to  save  souls. 

Oct.  12.  Came  to  Philadelphia ;  found  the  people 
serious,  loving,  and  lively.  The  society  here  appears  to 
be  in  a  better  state  than  they  have  been  in  since  the 
British  army  was  here. 

Oct.  14.  I  had  some  comfortable  sensations  in  speak- 
ing on  John  3.  14.  Our  congregations  are  large,  and  I 
hope  for  a  revival  of  the  work  among  us.  I  heard  two 
good  sermons  at  Saint  George's.  I  gave  them  a  plain 
discourse  at  night  at  Saint  George's,  on  i  John  i.  8,  9. 

"Worships  in  an  Episcopal  Chttrch 

Oct.  21.  We  had  a  love  feast.  I  attended  the  Epis- 
copal church  twice.  Our  own  house  w'as  crowded.  The 
work  of  God  appears  still  to  revive  among  us ;  and  I 
trust  the  society  increases  in  grace  as  well  as  in  numbers. 
Among  too  many  of  the  citizens  the  spirit  of  politics  has, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  eaten  out  the  spirit  of  religion.  We 
have  come  to  a  conclusion  to  print  the  four  volumes  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  Sermons. 

Oct.  27.  My  intervals  of  time  are  employed  in  mark- 
ing Baxter's  Cure  for  Church  Divisions  for  abridgment, 
which  may  some  day  see  the  light.  My  soul  is  drawn 
out  to  God  to  know  whether  I  ought  to  go  to  Virginia 
this  winter,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  prevent  the  spreading 
of  the  fire  of  division.  I  do  not  look  for  impulses  or 
revelations ;  the  voice  of  my  brethren  and  concurrent 
circumstances  will  determine  me  in  this  matter. 

Nov.  3.  We  had  twelve  preachers  and  about  one  thou- 
sand people  at  quarterly  meeting.  This  evening  our 
f[uarterly   meeting   Conference   began.      We    scrutinized 


202  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1781 

and  dealt  with  fidelity  one  with  the  other.  Nothing  would 
satisfy  the  preachers  but  my  consenting  to  go  to  Virginia. 
There  appear,  at  times,  to  be  great  movings  among  the 
people,  but  there  seems  to  be  a  slackness  of  discipline 
among  the  preachers  and  them ;  this  evil  must  be  cured, 
or  the  work  will  be  injured. 

Nov.  22.  I  set  out  for  Virginia :  my  horse  gave  me  the 
slip,  so  that  I  got  no  farther  than  Dover  by  Sunday. 

Dec.  I.  I  have  attended  my  appointments  on  the  way, 
and  am  now  as  far  as  my  old  friend  Mr.  Robert  Thomp- 
son's, in  Bohemia  Manor.  My  mind  has  been  kept  in 
peace  ever  since  I  left  Brother  White's.  I  felt  the  pain 
of  parting  with  him  at  Dover ;  he  has  the  most  real 
affection  for  me  of  any  man  I  ever  met  with.  The  Lord 
show  kindness  to  him  and  his,  for  all  their  kindness. 

Letters  from  Virginia 

Dec.  6.  Came  to  Baltimore.  Here  I  received  letters 
from  Virginia,  by  which  I  learn  that  affairs  are  not  so 
bad  in  V'irginia  as  I  feared.  A  few  of  the  local  preachers 
have  made  some  stir,  and  the  traveling  preachers  have 
withdrawn  from  them  and  their  adherents. 

Dec.  17.  I  have  spent  some  time  in  Baltimore  with 
satisfaction,  and  could  freely  stay  longer ;  but  there  may 
be  danger  in  these  trading  towns,  and  my  way  South 
seems  to  be  open.     Set  out  for  \^irginia. 

Dec.  19.  Preached  in  Leesburg.  From  thence  I  trav- 
eled and  preached  through  Hanover  and  Gloucester 
Circuits.  I  find  the  spirit  of  party  among  some  of  the 
people ;  the  local  preachers  tell  them  of  the  ordinances, 
and  they  catch  at  them  like  fish  at  a  bait,  but  when  they 
are  informed  that  they  will  have  to  give  up  the  traveling 
preachers  I  apprehend  they  will  not  be  so  fond  of  their 
new  plan;  and  if  I  judge  right,  the  last  struggle  of  a 
yielding  party  will  be  made  at  the  approaching  Confer- 
ence to  be  held  at  the  Manakintown. 


1782]     JARRATT'S  SUCCESSFUL  MINISTRY      203 

Dec.  29.  Rode  to  Stedham's,  in  Gloucester  Circuit. 
This  man  was  once  famous  for  racing ;  he  is  now  a  serv- 
ant of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  old  man  wept  when  I 
described  the  tenderness  of  a  soul  when  first  united  to 
Christ;  he  was  awakened  by  the  instrumentality  of  Mr. 
Jarratt,  and  I  am  persuaded  there  have  been  more  souls 
convinced  by  his  ministry  than  by  that  of  any  other  man 
in  Virijinia. 


THE   HOUSE  IN   PETERSBURG   IN   WHICH   ASBURY   HELD   HIS 
FIRST    CONFERENCE    IN    VIRGINIA. 


Jan.  I,  1782.  Having  preached  several  times  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Old  Church,  to  very  unfeeling  con- 
gregations, I  rode  to  Dudley's  Ferry,  in  order  to  cross 
York  River,  but  was  disappointed,  the  boat  being  on  the 
opposite  side.  We  returned  to  the  widow  C.'s,  being 
unwilling  to  stay  at  the  tavern,  and  had  a  congregation 
of  sixty  or  seventy  people ;  we  then  rode  about  five  miles 
to  a  ferry,  and  passed  over  immediately. 


204  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1782 

Arrived  at  the  other  side,  we  found  the  smallpox  and 
camp  fever  raging,  and  heard  of  several  poor  creatures, 
white  and  black,  that  had  died  on  the  road.  Ah !  we  little 
know  what  belongs  to  war,  with  all  its  train  of  evils; 
churches  converted  into  hospitals  and  barracks,  houses 
pillaged  or  burned.  I  met  with  five  or  six  faithful  souls 
on  our  fast  day,  and  the  Lord  was  present  with  us.  There 
is  considerable  distress  among  our  societies,  caused  by 
some  of  the  local  preachers,  who  are  not  satisfied  unless 
they  administer  the  ordinances  without  order  or  ordina- 
tion, and  the  whole  circuit  appears  to  be  more  or  less 
tinctured  with  their  spirit. 

Jan.  8.  I  rode  to  Mr.  Jarratt's,  and  found  him,  as 
usual,  quite  friendly. 

Jan.  20.  I  preached  at  the  great  preaching  house  in 
Nansemond  with  uncommon  openings  in  my  mind. 
About  twenty  months  past  I  preached  here,  and  was  then 
in  hopes  of  a  revival ;  but  evil  speaking  and  other  things 
have  prevented.  How  do  unskilled  surgeons  often  put 
their  patients  to  pain  without  profit ! 

Jan.  22.  I  preached  at  Brother  Moss's,  a  place  the 
circuit  preachers  had  quitted  because  there  were  no  hear- 
ers ;  this  good  purpose  my  traveling  answers — to  get  a 
few  to  hear  me  who  will  not  come  to  hear  others. 

A  Loving  People 

Jan.  2^.  At  Lane's  Chapel  I  enlarged  on  2  Cor.  7.  i, 
and  found  it  was  what  the  brethren  wanted :  they  are  a 
loving  people,  and  may  rank  with  any  of  our  north- 
country  Methodists. 

Jan.  26.  I  had  a  large  congregation  at  Richardson's, 
where  the  Lord  has  lately  been  at  work.  I  met  a  class, 
and  found  many  earnest  seekers  of  salvation.  The  poor 
mourners  came  again  at  night,  to  whom  I  applied  Heze- 
kiah's  experience,  at  which  all  appeared  deeply  affected ; 
they  wept,  talked  together,  and  seemed  loath  to  leave. 


J782J  A  DAILY   RULE  205 

Jan.  29.  I  rode  to  Roses  Creek ;  this  is  the  coldest  day 
I  have  yet  felt  in  Virginia.  I  spent  the  evening  with 
F.  Garrettson  and  Enoch  Matson  at  T.  Rivers's. 

Jan,  30.  I  saw  brother  E.  Dromgoole;  he  is  very 
weak  in  body,  but  steady  to  old  Methodism ;  I  feel  a 
great  desire  that  he  may  travel  again. 

Death  of  an  Old  Friend 

Feb.  I.  Brother  S.  Yeargan  gave  me  an  account  of  a 
light  his  former  wife  saw  while  at  prayer  one  day  in  a 
little  thicket  below  the  house ;  she  said  the  light  shone  all 
around  her,  "above  the  brightness  of  the  sun."  This  re- 
markable circumstance  she  had  resolved  not  to  com- 
municate even  to  her  husband.  On  more  mature  reflec- 
tion, however,  she  thought  it  most  proper  to  tell  him.  He 
observed  to  her,  "Perhaps  you  will  die  soon ;  are  you  will- 
ing?" "Yes,"  was  her  reply;  but  at  the  same  time  ex- 
pressed her  fears  of  a  long  illness,  "which,"  said  she, 
"will  burden  the  family."  Within  two  weeks  from  this 
she  died.  She  was  my  kind  nurse  the  last  time  I  was  in 
\''irginia ;  and  she  is  the  third  woman  of  my  former  kind 
friends  who  have  died  in  the  Lord  during  my  absence. 

Feb.  7.  I  rode  sixteen  miles,  and  preached  to  a  large 
assemblage  of  people  at  L  T.'s,  on  the  "great  salvation." 
Though  I  am  often  in  haste,  and  straitened  for  want  of 
time,  I  have  gone  through  Mr.  Wesley's  third  volume 
once,  and  am  going  through  it  again.  I  make  it  a  rule 
to  spend  an  hour,  morning  and  evening,  in  meditation, 
and  in  prayer  for  all  the  circuits,  societies,  and  preachers. 
I  find  no  preaching  does  good  but  that  which  properly 
presses  the  use  of  the  means,  and  urges  holiness  of  heart ; 
these  points  I  am  determined  to  keep  close  to  in  all  my 
sermons. 

Feb.  II.  I  rode  to  J.  ^lartin's.  Briery  Creek,  and 
preached  to  nearly  one  hundred  people  from  Acts  26.  18. 
After  preaching  I  had  some  conversation  with  Mr.  Mc- 


2o6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1782 

Roberts,  who  was  formerly  a  clergyman  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  but  he  is  now  set  out  on  an  Independent  plan : 
although  he  has  his  peculiarities,  I  admire  his  candor  as 
a  Christian ;  his  plan  may  fail,  and  his  zeal  may  cool — if 
indeed  that  is  not  already  observable.  Mr.  McRoberts 
charged  Mr.  Wesley  with  inconsistency  in  some  things, 
and  disapproved  of  his  sending  what  preachers  he 
thought  fit  to  any  place  or  people.  I  observed,  in  reply, 
that  Mr.  Wesley  did  nothing  without  consulting  the 
preachers ;  that  he  was  no  spiritual  tyrant.  Mr.  Mc- 
Roberts took  care  to  let  me  know  that  he  did  not  believe 
that  anyone  could  finally  fall  from  grace.  I  felt  great 
love  to  the  man,  and  was  pained  that  we  had  to  agree 
to  disagree. 

A  Remarkable  Conversion 

Feb.  12.  We  rode  to  solid  Robert  Martin's,  on  Appo- 
mattox River.  Brother  Martin  appears  to  be  a  man  of 
piety — a  professor  of  sanctification.  He  informed  me  of 
the  remarkable  conversion  of  Captain  Wood,  an  officer 
of  the  continental  line.  He  was  taken  at  the  capture  of 
Charlestown  by  the  British ;  obtaining  a  parole,  he  re- 
turned home  to  Prince  Edward  ;  here  it  was  that  he  was 
convinced  of  sin.  While  laboring  under  deep  distress  of 
soul  he  made  frequent  attempts  to  destroy  himself,  and 
would  suffer  no  one  to  come  near  him  but  Brother  Mar- 
tin. At  length  the  Lord  set  him  at  liberty,  and  he  is  now 
a  serious  man,  and  appears  to  be  much  devoted  to  God. 

Feb.  18.  While  Brother  Ellis  was  exhorting,  the  con- 
gregation was  alarmed  with  the  cry  of  fire,  which  had 
kindled  in  a  house  adjoining;  willing  hearts  and  ready 
hands  sufficed  to  save  the  furniture,  and  almost  every 
article  of  value  from  the  destructive  flames ;  but  the 
house  that  first  took  fire,  and  the  dwelling  house,  with  a 
connecting  piazza,  were  consumed.  We  left  this  scene  of 
awful  solemnity  and  alarm,  and  rode  to  Brother  Crow- 


1782]  DECLINES  REWARD  207 

clcr's  for  our  clinuers,  which  we  needed,  having  ridden 
twenty-five  miles  since  we  took  any  refreshment. 

Mar.  3  (North  Carohna).  1  preached  the  funeral 
sermon  of  Mrs.  Harrison,  the  wife  of  T.  Harrison,  on 
Dan  River.  Although  there  was  snow  on  the  ground, 
many  people  attended;  to  whom  I  spoke  on  i  Cor. 
15.  57,  58.  Mr.  Harrison  appears  to  be  deeply  distressed 
at  the  loss  of  his  wife ;  I  hope  it  will  terminate  in  a  con- 
cern for  his  own  soul.  He  offered  me  a  large  reward  for 
my  services — money  is  not  my  object. 

Mar.  9.  Notice  is  taken  here  of  a  preacher's  words 
and  actions ;  we  must  therefore  be  cautious,  and  not  lay 
a  stumbling-block  before  the  weak;  it  is  my  duty  to 
labor  for  God  and  souls  without  a  complaining  word. 

Mar.  17.  I  preached  with  great  liberty  to  a  solemn, 
attentive  people.  I  met  society,  and  the  people  spoke 
freely.  I  am  willing  to  travel  and  preach  as  long  as  I 
live ;  and  I  hope  I  shall  not  live  long  after  I  am  unable  to 
travel.  I  obtained  the  promise  of  Brothers  Bruce  and 
O'Kelly  to  join  heartily  in  our  connection.  I  feel  much 
led  out  in-  the  spirit  for  the  preachers  who  are  to  meet  in 
Conference,  that  we  may  all  be  united  in  love  and  peace, 
and  firm  resolves  to  carry  on  the  work  which  God  hath 
called  us  to. 

Apr.  13.  We  met  ]\Ir.  Jarratt,  but  he  had  such  a  cold 
he  refused  to  preach.  I  spoke  on,  "The  children  which 
thou  shalt  have,  after  thou  hast  lost  the  others,"  etc. 
We  had  a  love  feast  at  four  o'clock  in  the  evening;  it 
was  truly  a  gracious  season ;  many  spoke  freely  and  feel- 
ingly of  the  goodness  of  God. 

Sermon  on  Union  and  Love 

Apr.  14.  I  preached  at  the  chapel,  and  we  then  went 
to  church.  I  read  the  lessons  of  Mr.  Jarratt,  who 
preached  a  great  sermon  on  union  and  love,  from  the 
one  hundred  and  tw^enty-third  psalm ;  we   received  the 


2o8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1782 

sacrament,  and  afterward  went  home  with  Mr.  Jarratt, 
tliat  we  might  accompany  him  to  our  Conference. 

Apr.  17.  Reached  ElHs's,  at  whose  house  we  held  a 
Conference.  The  people  flocked  together  for  preaching. 
Mr.  Jarratt  gave  us  a  profitable  discourse  on  the  four- 
teenth chapter  of  Hosea.  In  the  evening  the  preachers 
met  in  Conference.  As  there  had  been  much  distress  felt 
by  those  of  \'irginia,  relative  to  the  administration  of  the 


THE    EARLIEST    OF    AMERICAN    QUARTERLY   TICKETS. 

From  the  original  in  the  library  of  Drew  Theological  Seminary,  Madi- 
son, New  Jersey. 

ordinances,  I  proposed  to  such  as  were  so  disposed,  to 
enter  into  a  written  agreement  to  cleave  to  the  old  plan 
in  which  we  had  been  so  greatly  blessed,  that  we  might 
have  the  greater  confidence  in  each  other,  and  know  on 
whom  to  depend ;  this  instrument  was  signed  by  the 
greater  part  of  the  preachers  without  hesitation.  Next 
morning  I  preached  on  Phil.  2.  1-5.  I  had  liberty,  and  it 
pleased  God  to  set  it  home :  one  of  the  preachers,  James 
Haw,  who  had  his  difficulties,  was  delivered  from  them 
all ;  and  with  the  exception  of  one,  all  the  signatures  of 
the  preachers  present  were  obtained.  We  received  seven 
into  connection,  and  four  remained  on  trial. 

Apr.  19.  We  amicably  settled  our  business  and  closed 
our  Conference.  Mr.  Jarratt  preached  on,  "A  man  shall 
be  as  an  hiding  place  from  the  wind,  and  a  covert  from 
the  tempest,"  etc.     We  had  a  love  feast ;  the  power  of 


1782]  QUARTERLY  TICKETS  209 

God   was   manifested   in   a   most  extraordinary  manner; 
preacliers  and  people  wept,  l)elieved,  loved,  and  obeyed. 

Ai'K.  21.  Held  quarterly  meeting  at  Boisseau's 
Chapel ;  the  glory  is  strangely  departed  here.  I  preached 
with  liberty  on,  "They  that  sow  in  tears,  shall  reap  in 
joy."  From  thence  I  hastened  to  Mr.  Jarratt's  barn, 
where  the  people  were  waiting,  to  whom  I  enlarged  on 
James  4.  7-10.  Mr.  Jarratt  seemed  all  life,  and  de- 
termined to  spend  himself  in  the  work  of  God,  and  visit 
what  circuits  he  could.  I  am  persuaded  the  separation  of 
some  from  our  original  plan  about  the  ordinances  will, 
upon  the  whole,  have  a  tendency  to  unite  the  body  to- 
gether, and  to  make  preachers  and  people  abide  wherein 
they  are  called  ;  I  feel  abundant  cause  to  praise  God  for 
what  he  has  done. 


g                                    Mar.h  177:-      S  it  7^ly  ^m 

^   OTRIVE  to  enter  in  at  the   ^  't'k  ^     vr^\TtT  oiiTKin^.  i,^,.»  f„ 

■n  ^    i\    ■  1     ^  <ii.  &.  '  A    EOvi.  all  1  ninp;'!  nave  rer- 

^^Ki^'i      .  •                 ^  I  A    vmCk.ityaSongyour 

^  Luke  xiii.   ;^  ^  J^  ^^1^.^,                             • 


EARLY    QUARTERLY    TICKETS. 
Given  out  by  Methodist  preachers  in  Wesley  Chapel,  New  York 

Apr.  25.  I  rode  forty-three  miles  in  order  to  reach 
Fluvanna  Circuit,  and  next  day  preached  at  the  Broken- 
backed  Church. 

Receives  News  of  Americans  Independence 

May  10.  I  preached  at  Culpepper  Courthouse ;  the 
people  were  serious  and  attentive.  Here  I  heard  the 
good  news  that  Britain  had  ackowledged  the  independ- 
ence for  which  America  has  been  contending — may  it  be 
so !    The  Lord  does  what  to  him  seemeth  good. 

May  20  (Maryland).     A  few  of  us  began  Conference 


2IO  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1782 

in  Baltimore ;  next  day  we  had  a  full  meeting ;  the  preach- 
ers all  signed  the  agreement  proposed  at  the  Virginia 
Conference,  and  there  was  a  unanimous  resolve  to  ad- 
here to  the  old  Methodist  plan.  We  spent  most  of  the 
day  in  examining  the  preachers. 

May  22.  We  had  many  things  before  us.  Our  print- 
ing plan  was  suspended  for  the  present  for  want  of 
funds. 

May  24.  Was  set  apart  for  fasting  and  prayer ;  we 
had  a  love  feast ;  the  Lord  was  present,  and  all  was  well. 
The  preachers  in  general  were  satisfied.  I  found  myself 
burdened  with  labors  and  cares.  We  have  now  fifty-nine' 
traveling  preachers,  and  eleven  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  eighty-five  in  society.  Our  young  men  are  serious, 
and  their  gifts  are  enlarged. 

June  i.  I  spent  a  considerable  part  of  this  week  at 
Mr.  Cough's,  in  answering  letters,  in  reading  and  retire- 
ment. I  now  return  to  Baltimore  under  a  deep  sense  of 
the  goodness  of  Cod. 

June  3.  Set  out  for  Calvert;  preached  on  the  way  at 
West  River.  I  spoke  to  about  one  hundred  poor  people, 
whom  I  exhorted  to  seek  that  they  might  find.  After 
dinner  I  retired  and  sat  down  on  a  log  beside  the  water 
for  nearly  two  hours,  and  had  sweet  communion  with 
Cod.  It  is  not  the  place,  nor  the  posture  of  the  body, 
that  constitutes  the  real  worshiper ;  yet  at  proper  times 
and  convenient  places  it  is  good  to  kneel  before  the  Lord 
our  Maker. 

Sick  and  Weary 

July  8.  I  am  sick  and  weary — ah !  how  few  are  there 
who  w^ould  not  choose  strangling  rather  than  life  and  the 
labors  we  undergo,  and  the  hardships  and  privations  we 
are  compelled  to  submit  to !  Blessed  be  Cod,  we  have 
hope  beyond  the  grave ! 

July  12.     Rode    to    the    North    Branch,    crossed    the 


1 7 82]  HORSE  STUMBLES  211 

Nobbly  Mountain ;  at  its  foot  we  stopped,  ate  a  little 
bread,  drank  fine  water,  prayed,  and  then  went  forward 
to  Cressaps.  I  was  pretty  plain  on  Isa.  55.  6,  7.  Here 
Colonel  15arratt  met  me,  and  conducted  me  two  miles  up 
the  Alk\Qhany.  We  were  riding  until  near  ten  o'clock ; 
the  roatl  was  dreary,  and  the  night  was  dark. 

A  Practical  Device  of  Asbury's 

July  17.  We  went  on  through  devious  roads  and  ar- 
rived at  Gtiess's.  Here  I  set  on  a  scheme  to  prevent  my 
horse  from  falling  lame,  that  had  yesterday  lost  a  shoe ; 
it  was  to  bind  round  his  foot  a  piece  of  the  neck  of  a 
bull's  hide ;  my  contrivance  answered  the  purpose  well. 

July  18.  I  preached  at  Stephen  Harland's,  under  the 
spreading  trees,  on  David's  charge  to  Solomon.  Thence 
rode  on  to  Boydstone's,  where  we  stayed  one  day,  which 
afforded  us  the  first  leisure  time  since  Monday  morning 
we  have  had  to  sit  down  and  write. 

July  27.  Being  ill,  I  declined  going  to  Baltimore,  and 
went  to  Perry  Hall,  where  I  found  my  dear  friend 
I'homas  White.  On  the  Sabbath  day  we  read  prayers  in 
the  family,  and  I  preached  in  the  afternoon  on  2  Chron. 
32-  24,  25. 

July  29.  Closely  employed  in  answering  letters  from 
various  parts.  I  am  impelled  forward  by  my  desires  of 
comfort  for  myself,  and  sincere  wishes  to  be  useful  to  the 
church,  and  to  the  world  of  sinners. 

Aug.  12  (Pennsylvania),  Rode  to  Little  York,  and 
dined  with  Mr.  Otterbein  and  Mr,  Wagner,  I  had  many 
hearers  in  the  German  schoolhouse.  This  is  a  day  which 
I  ought  to  remember  with  gratitude.  I  borrowed  a  young 
mare,  and  as  I  rode  along  with  my  hands  in  my  pockets 
she  blundered  and  fell;  in  the  scuffle  I  had  thoughts  of 
throwing  myself  off,  but  did  not ;  after  some  time  she  re- 
covered, and  I  praised  the  Lord  who  had  preserved  me 
in  such  imminent  daneer. 


212  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1782 

Aug.  19.  I  see  God  will  work  among  Alennonists, 
Dnnkers,  Presbyterians,  Lutherans,  Episcopalians,  Dutch, 
English,  no  matter;  the  cause  belongs  to  God. 

Sept.  i.  We  had  a  solemn,  melting  season  at  the  love 
feast  in  the  morning,  most  of  the  society  present ;  we 
afterward  went  to  Saint  Paul's,  heard  a  sermon  preached 
by  Mr.  McGaw,  and  received  the  sacrament. 

Sept.  2.  Met  the  leaders  and  stewards  to  look  into  the 
temporal  affairs  of  the  society.  After  dinner  we  rode  to 
Burlington,  nineteen  miles,  and  preached  on,  "My  Spirit 
shall  not  always  strive  with  man." 

French  Soldiers  in  Trenton 

Sept.  3.  Rode  to  Trenton ;  the  town  in  a  great  bustle 
with  the  court,  and  the  French  troops.  My  subject  was 
the  Syrophenician  woman;  the  congregation  was  large 
and  serious. 

Sept.  8.  Preached  to  a  very  gay  congregation,  con- 
sisting of  four  or  five  hundred  people ;  there  appears  to 
be  a  prospect  of  good  among  them.  The  priests  of  all 
denominations,  Dutch  and  English,  appear  to  be  much 
alarmed  at  our  success ;  some  oppose  openly,  others  more 
secretly ;  the  Episcopal  ministers  are  the  most  quiet,  and 
some  of  these  are  friendly. 

Sept,  16.  After  preaching  at  Mount  Holly  to  a 
crowded  congregation  I  rode,  very  ill  and  under  deep 
exercises  of  mind,  to  Philadelphia,  twenty  miles.  T  have 
preached  seventeen  times,  and  ridden  above  two  hundred 
miles,  in  the  last  two  weeks.  I  think  God  will  do  great 
things  in  the  Jerseys ;  the  prospect  is  pleasing,  East  and 
West. 

Sept.  21.  I  received  two  letters  from  Virginia  which 
gave  me  great  consolation ;  the  divisions  there  are  much 
abated ;  the  work  revives ;  the  preachers  are  in  health  and 
well  received. 

Sept.  22.     I  went  to  Saint  Paul's,  and,  to  my  great 


1782]  WHITE'S  iNEW  CHAPEL  2r3 

surprise,  in  comes  my  old  friend  Ilartoii.  1  le  was  Ijroni^ht 
up  a  Churchman,  and  was  awakened  without  human 
means.  Observing  that  ministers  and  members  in  that 
cliurch  were  dead  and  careless,  and  finding  some  Hving 
testimonies  among-  I'Viends,  he  was  induced  to  join  them, 
and  thus  adhered  for  twenty  years,  becoming  a  pubhc 
speaker  among  tliem.  He  is  now  jealous  for  the  Lord's 
ordinances ;  he  says  he  could  never  fully  give  them  up, 
and  must  now  come  to  the  Methodists. 

Sept.  23.  I  began  begging  for  the  society,  that  we 
might,  if  possible,  relieve  our  preaching  house  from  the 
incumbrance  of  ground  rent.  I  soon  got  about  £270 
subscribed. 

Oct.  6.  I  preached  in  White's  new  chapel  for  the  first 
time :  it  is  one  of  the  neatest  country  chapels  the  Metho- 
dists have  on  the  wdiole  continent.  My  subject  was  Hag. 
2.  9:  "In  this  place  will  I  give  peace." 

Oct.  22.  I  have  had  large  congregations  in  several 
counties  of  the  states  of  Delaware  and  Maryland,  and 
have  been  humbled  before  the  Lord  that  so  many  people 
should  come  to  hear  such  a  poor  worm  as  I  am. 

Oct.  2^.  Attended  quarterly  meeting  at  Barratt's 
Chapel.  I  was  greatly  afflicted  in  mind ;  I  could  not  ac- 
complish my  plan  to  send  preachers  to  the  backwoods, 
where  they  are  greatly  wanting.  I  have  been  counseled 
n.ot  to  leave  the  Peninsula  ;  this  advice  I  shall  not  follow. 

Dec.  8.  Preached  to  a  wild,  hardened  people  at  the 
Old  Church,  in  King  and  Queen  County.  In  the  evening 
spoke  at  Stedman's.  My  spirit  has  been  clothed  in  sack- 
cloth since  my  coming  into  this  state ;  my  hopes  begin 
to  revive. 

Preaches  in  a  Cowrthotjse 

Dec.  II.  I  rode  to  Williamsburg,  formerly  the  seat  of 
government,  but  now  removed  to  Richmond  :  thus  the 
worldly  glory  is  departed  from  it;  as  to  divine  glory,  it 


214  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1783 

never  had  any.  I  preached  in  James  City  Courthouse. 
The  place  has  suffered  and  is  suffering:  the  palace,  the 
barracks,  and  some  good  dwelling  houses  burned.  The 
capitol  is  no  great  building,  and  is  going  to  ruin ;  the  ex- 
terior of  the  college  not  splendid,  and  but  few  students ; 
the  bedlam  house  is  desolate,  but  whether  because  none 
are  insane,  or  all  are  equally  mad,  it  might,  perhaps,  be 
difficult  to  tell. 

Jan.  I,  1783.  I  have  passed  through  Gates,  Hertford, 
Bertie,  and  Northampton  Counties,  in  North  Carolina ; 
T  am  now  in  Southampton  County,  in  Virginia,  and  have 
this  day  preached  in  Saint  Paul's. 

Feb.  17  (North  Carolina).  We  proceeded  to  the  Yad- 
kin Circuit.  It  is  well  we  are  on  this  side  the  Dan  River ; 
the  late  rains  might  else  have  prevented  our  going  on  for 
a  season.  On  our  route  we  passed  through  Salem,  a 
Moravian  town,  well  built  after  the  German  manner; 
everyone  appeared  to  be  in  business.  We  lodged  at  Mr. 
Thomson's,  a  settler  on  the  Moravian  lands,  which  is  a 
tract  of  sixteen  miles  square ;  neither  was  the  cabin  com- 
fortable, or  our  host  pleasing. 

Mar.  7.  I  had  a  large  congregation  at  Hillsboro,  and 
there  was  more  attention  and  solemnity  observable  than 
formerly.  I  visited  three  young  men  who  are  to  die 
shortly;  they  wept  while  I  talked  and  prayed  with  them. 
I  walked  to  the  church ;  it  was  once  an  elegant  building, 
and  still  makes  a  good  appearance  at  a  distance,  but 
within  it  is  in  ruins.  The  calamities  and  destructive 
waste  of  war  have  been  severely  felt  in  these  parts.  When 
will  the  nations  live  in  peace  together? 

Mar.  15.  Preached  to  some  Calvinistic  professors  and 
sinners.  The  people  are  very  careless,  and  professors  are 
unfaithful.  What  I  have  suffered  on  account  of  these 
things,  God  only  knows. 

Apr.  5.  I  heard  the  news  that  peace  was  confirmed 
between  England  and  America.     I  had  various  exercises 


17S3]  PEACE   WITH  ENGLAND  -15 

of  mind  on  the  occasion  ;  it  nia\'  cause  great  changes  to 
take  place  among  us,  some  for  the  better,  and  some  for 
the  worse.  It  may  make  against  the  work  of  God ;  our 
preachers  will  be  far  more  likely  to  settle  in  the  world  ; 
and  our  people,  by  getting  into  trade,  and  acquiring 
wealth,  may  drink  into  its  spirit.  Believing  the  report 
to  be  true,  I  took  some  notice  of  it  while  I  treated  on 
Acts  10.  36,  at  Brother  Clayton's,  near  Halifax,  where 
they  were  firing  their  cannons,  and  rejoicing  in  their 
way,  on  the  occasion.  This  day  I  prevailed  with  Brother 
Dickins  to  go  to  New  York,  where  I  expect  him  to  be 
far  more  useful  than  in  his  present  station. 

Good  Friday  in  Virginia 

Apr.  17  (Virginia).  Quarterly  meeting  at  White  Oak 
chapel;  next  day  (Good  Friday)  Mr.  Jarratt  preached 
and  administered  the  sacrament. 

Apr.  21.  Set  out  for  Buckingham,  to  visit  some  who 
have  been  separated  from  us  on  account  of  ordinances, 
and  my  spirit  was  refreshed  among  them. 

May  7.  Our  Conference  began  at  this  place.  Some 
young  laborers  were  taken  in  to  assist  in  spreading  the 
gospel,  which  greatly  prospers  in  the  North.  We  all 
agreed  in  the  spirit  of  African  liberty,  and  strong  testi- 
monies were  borne  in  its  favor  in  our  love  feast ;  our 
affairs  were  conducted  in  love.  From  Petersburg  I  pro- 
ceeded northward. 

Among  those  whose  names  appear  for  the  first  in  the  ap- 
pointments this  year  were  Jesse  Lee,  Methodism's  first  his- 
torian, and  its  -founder  in  New  England,  and  Thomas  Ware,  a 
most  valuable  itinerant  preacher  for  many  years. 

May  27.  We  began  our  Conference  with  what 
preachers  were  present.  On  Wednesday  we  had  a  full 
assembly,  which  lasted  until  Friday.  We  had  a  love 
feast,  and  parted  in  peace. 


2i6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1783 

July  21.  Preached  to  a  few  people  in  Winchester. 
For  several  days  past  I  have  had  to  ride  the  whole  day, 
and  to  preach  without  eating,  until  five  or  six  o'clock  in 
the  evening,  except  a  little  biscuit ;  this  is  hard  work  for 
man  and  horse.  This,  however,  is  not  the  worst — re- 
ligion is  greatly  wanting  in  these  parts.  The  inhabitants 
are  much  divided ;  made  up,  as  they  are,  of  different 
nations,  and  speaking  different  languages,  they  agree  in 
scarcely  anything,  except  it  be  to  sin  against  God.  The 
Lord  will  arise  in  judgment. 

Aug.  5.  I  preached  on,  "It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall 
into  the  hands  of  the  living  God." 

Sad  Fate  of  Isaac  Rollins 

Having  lately  heard  of  the  death  of  Isaac  Rollins,  and 
having  had  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  him  for  some 
years,  I  will  here  notice  some  of  the  circumstances  of 
his  life.  He  was  born  and  brought  up  in  Patapsco  Neck, 
and  when  grown  up  was  uncommonly  wicked.  The 
Methodists,  about  this  time,  coming  into  those  parts,  he 
professed  conviction  and  conversion  through  their  in- 
strumentality. Some  time  after  this  he  began  to  speak 
in  public,  roughly,  but  I  believed  in  sincerity.  I  took 
notice  of  him.  and  appointed  him  to  travel  on  the  Eastern 
Shore ;  there  he  did  some  good  and  some  harm.  I  then 
sent  him  to  Pennsylvania ;  it  was  the  same  thing  there. 
Eight  years  ago  he  was  sent  to  Virginia ;  the  first  year 
he  did  much  good;  refusing,  however,  to  take  his  ap- 
pointment from  Conference,  he  stayed  about  Brunswick, 
causing  disaft'ection  among  the  people,  whence  sprung 
disorder.  Thence  we  removed  him  to  Pittsylvania, 
where  he  was  also  useful ;  here  he  would  not  long  re- 
main, but  went  off  to  James  City.  After  a  considerable 
time  we  received  him  again,  although  contrary  to  the 
advice  of  some  who  knew  him  better.  About  two  years 
past  he  was  appointed  to  Pennsylvania ;  this  appears  to 


1783]  PHILADELPHIA  CIRCUIT  217 

have  placed  him  where  he  wished  to  be,  and  he  presently 
set  about  making  a  party,  enjoining  secrecy  upon  his 
followers.  After  one  quarter  he  left  us,  and  set  up  for 
himself,  and  he  and  his  few  adherents  took  from  us  the 
Forest  chapel.  He  b^gan  now  to  be  forsaken ;  and, 
being  too  lazy  to  ride  a  circuit,  took  to  baptizing  and 
begging,  by  way  of  subscription.  There  were  many  re- 
ports about  him,  which  decency  forbids  to  mention ; 
which,  nevertheless,  were  probably  true.  From  these 
scandalous  imputations  on  his  character  he  felt,  it  seems, 
the  necessity  of  defending  himself ;  and  being  at  the 
Yellow  Springs,  he  was  for  some  hours  employed  in 
having  his  defense  written.  He  did  at  times  drink 
freely,  but  wdiether  he  was  in  liquor  while  there,  I  know 
not ;  so  it  was  that,  setting  ofif  on  a  mettlesome  horse,  he 
had  not  ridden  many  yards  before  he  was  thrown  to  the 
ground,  and  died  on  the  spot.  I  had  said,  "I  think  he 
cannot  stay  long,"  because  he  did  pervert  the  right  ways 
of  the  Lord.  To  the  Lord  I  leave  him,  desiring  that  his 
sad  example  may  be  a  warning  to  me  and  all  preachers 
of  the  gospel. 

The  Goodness  of  God 

Aug.  9.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began  in  Philadelphia 
Circuit,  and  was  well  attended ;  our  love  feast  was 
spiritual,  and  many  spoke  feelingly  of  the  goodness  of 
God.  From  the  quarterly  meeting  I  went  to  Hoffman's, 
in  the  A'alley,  where  they  are  building  us  a  new  stone 
chapel.     I  spoke  to  them  on  2  Chron.  15.  17. 

Aug.  22.  I  have  ridden  about  one  hundred  miles 
since  I  left  Philadelphia,  and  preached  nine  times.  The 
weather  is  very  warm,  and  the  poor  flesh  complains ;  yet 
I  bless  God  for  health  to  drag  along  while  so  many  are 
seriously  afflicted.  My  dear  old  friend  Mrs.  Maddox, 
aged  one  hundred  and  two  last  ]\fay,  went  into  eternity 
about  a  month  ago. 


2i8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1783 

Aug.  25.  Set  out  for  New  York:  arrived  there,  I 
found  Brother  Dickins  preaching. 

He  had  not  been  in  New  York  now  for  several  years.  He 
was  in  North  Carohna  in  April  when  he  learned  that  peace  had 
been  established  between  England  and  America,  and  at  once 
persuaded  Dickins  to  go  to  New  York  to  take  charge  of  the 
work  there  which  during  the  war  had  of  necessity  bsen  neg- 
lected. 

Aug.  27.  I  was  close  and  searching ;  a  few  felt  it — a 
little  of  the  good  old  spirit  yet  prevails  among  these 
people.  We  had  preaching  generally  morning  and  even- 
ing, and  I  trust  the  seed  sown  will  not  all  be  lost. 

Aug.  31.  In  the  evening  I  thought  it  necessary  to  put 
them  on  an  examination  whether  they  were  Christians 
or  not.  I  spoke  on  2  Cor.  13.  15.  I  was  very  much  led 
out;  a  power  went  forth,  and  I  hope  some  real  good 
was  done. 

Sept.  i.  Left  the  city,  and  spent  some  time  at  Mr. 
W.'s  in  reading  the  additional  works  of  Mr.  Fletcher. 

Sleeps  on  a  Plank 

Sept.  14.  I  injured  myself  by  speaking  too  long  and 
too  loud.  I  rode  seven  miles,  got  wet,  had  poor  lodgings, 
with  plenty  of  mosquitoes ;  next  day,  poorly  as  I  was,  I 
had  to  ride  seventeen  miles,  and  spoke  while  I  had  a 
high  fever  on  me.  I  laid  me  down  on  a  plank ;  hard 
lodging  this  for  a  sick  man. 

Sept.  28.  Preached  at  Dover  at  nine  o'clock,  and  at 
Barratt's  Chapel  at  three  o'clock. 

Oct.  II.  I  found  some  faithful  people  at  Brother 
Hartley's,  in  Talbot.  Here  I  met  with  Brother  Garrett- 
son,  and  heard  him  speak  with  pleasure ;  we  spent  the 
evening  together  at  Mr.  Benson's  in  reading,  conversa- 
tion, and  prayer. 

Oct.  25.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began  at  Kane's 
barn.  Our  love  feast  was  large,  powerful,  and  lively ; 
we  had  very  sensible  tokens  of  the  goodness  of  God. 


1783]  DISCOURSES  ON  RELIGION  219 

Here  is  a  blessed  work  of  God  among-  a  people  who  were 
once  brutish  and  wicked. 

Oct.  28.  I  had  to  hasten  away  to  Phoebus's,  sixteen 
miles,  to  perform  the  funeral  rites  of  W.  Wright,  a 
native  of  Ireland.  He  began  to  preach  about  three  years 
ago;  last  Conference  he  was  received  as  a  traveling 
preacher,  and  appointed  to  Annamessex  Circuit,  where 
he  labored  very  faithfully.  From  the  best  accounts  we 
are  warranted  in  believing  that  he  died  happy  in  God. 

Poverty  of  the  People 

Nov.  2.  Riding  leisurely  to  Brother  Farley's,  I 
missed  my  road,  and  stopped  at  a  poor  man's  house — so 
poor  that  the  furniture  within  was  not,  perhaps,  worth 
twenty  shillings ;  the  woman  listened  to  me  with  great 
attention  while  I  spoke  to  her  about  her  soul;  after  pray- 
ing with  her  and  her  children,  I  pursued  my  journey.  I 
bless  God,  I  have  seen  so  much  of  rough  and  smooth 
that  neither  makes  any  impression  on  me ;  I  know  how 
to  be  abased  and  how  to  abound. 

Nov.  26.  Made  a  short  stay  in  Baltimore,  and  preached 
at  Elk  Ridge  on  my  way  to  V^irginia.  When  we  reached 
the  Potomac  Brother  Phoebus  was  unwilling  to  cross ;  so 
we  stayed  at  the  public  house  without  fire,  candle,  or 
supper,  and  the  host  drunk.  Next  morning  we  crossed 
the  river,  and  were  kindly  received  at  Brother  Bushby's. 

Nov.  28.  Preached  to  a  large  congregation  in  the 
courthouse  at  Alexandria.  On  my  way  to  Fredericks- 
hurg  I  fell  in  with  some  gentlemen,  and  conversed  with 
them  on  the  subject  of  religion;  they  sought  refuge  in 
God's  foreknowledge,  and  thence  drew  their  proofs  that 
their  Creator  would  not  eternally  damn  them. 

Dec.  7.  I  went  to  Williamsburg,  and  found  the  people 
waiting ;  the  key  of  the  courthouse  being  lost,  or  mislaid. 
I  stood  without,  and  was  assisted  on  Acts  17.  30,  31.  I  feel 
some  faith  that  God  will  call  out  a  people  in  this  place. 


220  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1784 

Dec.  24.  Set  out  in  the  rain  to  Hartford  town.  I 
spoke  in  a  tavern ;  the  people  seemed  wild  and  wicked 
altogether.  I  journeyed  on  through  the  damp  weather, 
and  reached  Pettigrew's  about  six  o'clock. 

Made  General  Assistant  by  Wesley 

Here  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wesley,  in  which  he 
directs  me  to  act  as  general  assistant;  and  to  receive  no 
preachers  from  Europe  that  are  not  recommended  by 
him,  nor  any  in  America  who  will  not  submit  to  me,  and 
to  the  minutes  of  the  Conference. 

I  preached  in  Edenton,  to  a  gay,  inattentive  people.  I 
was  much  pleased  with  Mr.  Pettigrew.  I  heard  him 
preach,  and  received  the  Lord's  Supper  at  his  hands. 

Rev.  Charles  Pettigrew  was  elected  Bishop  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  1794,  but  owing  to  ill  health  was  never 
consecrated.  He  was  a  very  intelligent  man  and  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Universit}^  of  North  Carolina.  A  son  was  a 
member  of  Congress,  1834-35. 

Jan.  II,  1784.  I  had  five  hearers,  besides  the  family; 
we  then  rode  through  rain  and  snow  to  Brother 
Seward's. 

Jan.  12.  On  my  way  to  L  Malone's  my  horse  fell  on 
the  ice,  and  caught  my  leg  under  him.  I  had  some  bread 
in  my  greatcoat  side  pocket  that  was  under  me  in  my 
fall,  which  made  it  worse,  and  I  hurt  my  knee  too.  I 
had  presence  of  mind,  and  prayed  as  I  fell.  The  snow 
being  deep  saved  me  much  from  damage. 

Jan.  31.  Preached  at  a  church,  and  held  a  love  feast. 
My  toe,  which  has  been  inflamed  for  some  time  past,  is 
now  very  troublesome.  Sister  Martin's  kindness  has 
been  a  plaster  for  all  my  sores. 

M.\R.  17.  I  preached  at  Jones's  Chapel — a  better 
house  than  I  expected  to  have  seen  built  by  the  Meth- 
odists in  North  Carolina.     We  then  rode  fifteen  miles  to 

W 's,    where    we    were    kindly    received    and    com- 

fortablv  entertained. 


J84\ 


THOMAS  VASEY 


Apr.  I.  After  passin.q-  ihrouj^h  Brunswick  Circuit  I 
preached  at  Mr.  Jarratt's  barn.  Mr.  Jarratt  was  very 
kind,  and  the  people  very  attentive. 


REV.    '1  IIO.MAS    VASEV. 

The  ordained  companion  of  Coke  and  Whatcoat,  coming  with  them  to 
America  in  1784. 


Apr.  4.  Preached  at  P^inney's  old  place,  where  I  sup- 
pose there  might  be  some  that  had  hardl}-  heard  preach- 
ing' since  I  was  here  last  year ;  thence  I  rode  through 


222  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1784 

Powhatan,  Cumberland,  and  Buckingham  Counties, 
where  there  is  poor  encouragement  for  reHgion. 

Apr.  5.  We  crossed  James  River  in  a  canoe ;  our 
horses  by  wading  and' swimming  got  over.  I  found  some 
people  of  feeling  at  T.  Key's,  to  whom  I  preached  on 
John  3.  19;  thence  we  rode  the  river  seventeen  miles 
along  a  very  rude,  uneasy  path,  to  preach  to  fifteen 
people. 

Apr.  II.     Preached  at  G 's  church  to  perhaps  five 

hundred  people.  From  the  church  we  rode  on  to  Dr. 
Hopkins's.  I  could  not  see ;  feeling  the  hills  and  dales, 
we  pushed  on  about  thirty  miles.  We  got  in,  cold  and 
fatigued,  about  eleven  o'clock.  A  drunken  man  we  fell 
in  with  conducted  us  four  or  five  miles.  The  labor  of 
the  day  has  been  performed  with  little  refreshment  for 
either  man  or  horse.  Since  yesterday  week  at  noon  I 
have  ridden  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  miles  in  this 
rough  country.  Arriving,  through  the  woods,  at  Martin 
Key's,  I  found  a  happy  change  since  I  was  here  last  year. 
I  will  take  it  as  an  answer  to  prayer.  Now,  the  whole 
family  are  called  together  for  worship — the  man  is  seek- 
ing, the  woman  has  found  the  Lord,  and  the  children 
are  serious. 

Apr.  17.  Quarterly  meeting  at  Brother  Fry's;  a  living 
power  went  through  the  people  in  our  love  feast.  It  was 
supposed  the  congregation  consisted  of  nearly,  or  quite, 
seven  hundred  people. 

Conference  at  Ellis's  Chapel 

Apr.  29.  Rode  to  Ellis's  Chapel,  in  Sussex  County, 
where  we  held  our  Conference  the  two  ensuing  days. 
Brother  O'Kelly  gave  us  a  good  sermon :  "1  keep  under 
my  body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection,"  etc.  Mr.  Jarratt 
gave  us  a  good  discourse  on  i  Tim.  i  4.  Our  business 
was  conducted  with  uncommon  love  and  unity.  The 
brethren  were  miusually  sympathetic  and  kind. 


1784]  PLOTS  AGAINST  ASBURY  223 

There  were  two  sessions  of  the  Conference  again  this  year. 
Thomas  Ware,  who  attended  a  Conference  for  the  first  time, 
wrote:  "There  were  ^uite  a  number  of  preachers  present 
Although  there  were  but  few  on  whose  heads  time  had  begun 
to  snow,  yet  several  of  them  appeared  to  be  wayworn  and 
weather-beaten  into  premature  old  age.  I  doubt  whether 
there  ever  has  been  a  Conference  among  us  in  which  an  equal 
number  could  be  found,  in  proportion  to  the  whole,  so  dead  to 
the  world,  and  so  gifted  and  enterprising  as  were  present  at 
that  of  1784.  They  had  much  to  suffer  at  that  early  period 
of  our  history,  and  especially  during  the  Revolutionary 
struggle.  Among  these  pioneers,  Asbury,  by  common  con- 
sent, stood  first  and  chief.  There  was  something  in  his  per- 
son, his  eye,  his  mien,  and  in  the  music  of  his  voice,  which 
interested  all  who  saw  and  heard  him.  He  possessed  much 
natural  wit,  and  was  capable  of  the  severest  satire;  but  grace 
and  good  sense  so  far  predominated  that  he  never  descended 
to  anything  beneath  the  dignity  of  a  man  and  a  Christian 
minister." 

From  this  Conference  I  proceeded  on  and  crossed 
James  River  on  my  way  to  the  North,  and  was  led  to 
cr}'  to  God  to  go  with  us  and  meet  us  there. 

May  20.  Reached  Bahimore  about  seven  o'clock.  I 
have  ridden  about  fifty  miles  to-day.  In  crossing  the 
I'otomac,  when  about  midway,  we  turned  back  to  meet 
the  stage,  and  I  found  Dr.  Lusby.  I  learned  by  letter 
that  my  father  and  mother  are  yet  alive. 

May  25.  Our  Conference  began,  all  in  peace.  William 
Glendenning  had  been  devising  a  plan  to  lay  me  aside, 
or  at  least  to  abridge  my  powers.  Mr.  Wesley's  letter 
settled  the  point,  and  all  was  happy. 

June  25.  W^e  had  hard  work  in  crossing  a  mountain 
six  miles  over,  and  it  was  still  worse  the  next  day  in 
crossing  the  greater  mountain.  I  found  it  very  warm 
work,  though  stripped.  We  struggled  along,  neverthe- 
less, and  met  with  about  four  hundred  people  at  Stray- 
der's,  to  whom  I  spoke  on  2  Cor.  13.  5,  I  hope  not  in 
vain.  While  I  was  at  prayer  a  large  limb  fell  from  a 
sycamore  tree  in  the  midst  of  the  people,  yet  not  one 
received  the  least  injury;  some  thought  it  was  a  trick  of 


2H  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1784 

the  devil ;  and  so  indeed  it  might  have  been.  Perhaps  he 
wanted  to  kill  another,  who  spoke  after  me  with  great 
power. 

July  i.  We  began  to  ascend  the  Alleghany,  directing 
onr  course  toward  Redstone.  We  passed  the  Little 
IVIeadows,  keeping  the  route  of  Braddock's  Road  for 
about  twenty-two  miles,  along  a  rough  pathway.  Ar- 
riving at  a  small  house,  and  halting  for  the  night,  we  had, 
literally,  to  lie  as  thick  as  three  in  a  bed.  For  three  days 
I  had  a  fever;  the  excessive  labor  I  have  undergone  ma}- 
have  nourished  it.  When  I  rose  yesterday  morning  I 
was  very  ill.  After  riding  about  seven  miles,  I  was  taken 
with  a  trembling  and  profuse  perspiration.  I  ate  some- 
thing, and  felt  better,  and  my  fever  is  now  abated.  The 
Lord  is  continuously  good  unto  me. 

July  8.  Since  last  Friday  we  have  ridden  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  or  more  miles,  on  rough  roads,  through 
a  rough  country,  and  with  rough  fare.  I  trust  our  labor 
will  not  all  be  lost. 

In  New  York  Once  More 

Aug.  27.  We  had  a  trying  journey  to  New  York;  the 
weather  being  excessively  warm.  I  found  my  old 
friends  Chave  and  W.  Lupton  at  Newark,  who  appeared 
pleased  to  see  me.  We  took  the  stage,  and  reached  New- 
York  about  eight  o'clock.  At  New  York  w-e  found  the 
people  alive  to  God ;  there  are  about  one  hundred  in 
society,  and,  with  those  in  Philadelphia,  to  my  mind, 
appear  more  like  Methodists  than  I  have  ever  yet  seen 
them.  My  first  discourse  was  for  the  benefit  of  poor 
stragglers,  who  have  not  yet  returned  to  the  fold ;  the 
subject  chosen  was  Rev.  3.  1-4. 

Aug.  29.  In  the  evening  I  preached  for  the  benefit  of 
poor  sinners,  on  Job  21.  15. 

Aug.  30.  My  soul  is  alive  to  God ;  I  visited,  prayed, 
read,  wTOte,  met  the  classes,  and  in  the  evening  preached. 


1784]  EVERY   IJAV   A  SAB  HATH  225 

Sici'i'.  6.  I  took  leave  of  my  dear  friends  in  Xew 
York;  they  showed  their  love  in  deed  and  in  truth, 
liberally  supplyin*^  me  with  what  was  necessary. 

Sept.  25.  I  was  weary  and  faint  as  I  journeyed  toward 
Philadelphia. 

Oct.  2.  I  preached  in  our  new  chapel  at  Dover,  Dela- 
ware, on  faith,  hope,  charity. 

A  Negro  Under  Sentence  of  Death 

Oct.  14.  I  rode  twenty  miles  to  visit  Kent  Island  for 
the  first  time.  Here  we  had  an  unusual  collection  of 
people,  and  surely  all  was  not  in  vain.  We  had  a  good 
time  at  Newxomb's ;  the  Word  of  God  has  greatly  tri- 
umphed over  the  prejudices  of  rich  and  poor.  We  went 
on  to  Cambridge.  Here  George,  a  poor  negro  in  our 
society,  we  found  under  sentence  of  death  for  theft  com- 
mitted before  he  became  a  Methodist;  he  appeared  to  be 
much  given  up  to  God ;  he  was  reprieved  under  the  gal- 
lows ;  a  merchant,  who  cursed  the  negro  for  praying, 
died  in  horror.  I  pity  the  poor  slaves.  O  that  God 
would  look  down  in  mercy,  and  take  their  cause  in 
hand ! 

Oct.  24.  This  day  has  been  so  much  taken  up  that  I 
had  no  time  to  spare.  My  mind  is  with  the  Lord,  and 
every  day  is  a  Sabbath  with  me.  Here  B.  T.,  who  was  a 
great  Churchman,  after  hearing  Freeborn  Garrettson  a 
second  time,  was  seized  with  conviction  on  his  way  home, 
and  fell  down  in  the  road,  and  spent  great  part  of  the 
night  crying  to  God  for  mercy.  It  was  suggested  to  him 
that  his  house  was  on  fire ;  his  answer  was,  "It  is  better 
for  me  to  lose  my  house  than  my  soul." 

Nov.  5.  I  came  back  to  Colonel  Burton's.  Since  I 
went  from  this  house  three  days  ago  I  have  ridden  about 
one  hundred  miles,  spent  five  hours  in  delivering  five 
public  discourses,  and  ten  hours  in  family  and  public 
prayer,  and  read  two  hundred  pages  in  Young's  Works. 


226  AS.BURY'S  JOURNAL  [1784 

I  have  enjoyed  great  peace,  and  hope  to  see  a  great  and 
glorious  work. 

Nov.  7.  I  rode  twelve  miles  to  Snow  Hill.  Here  the 
judge  himself  opened  the  courthouse,  and  a  large  con- 
gregation of  people  .of  different  denominations  attended ; 


barratt's  chapel  (interior). 

Showing  old  altar  rail  and  the  pulpit  where  Asbury  and  Coke  met  for 
the  first  time  in  America. 

the  subject  was  the  certainty,  universality,  and  justice  of 
God's  proceeding  at  the  day  of  judgment. 

Famous  Meeting  of  Asbtiry  and  Coke 

Nov.  14.  I  came  to  Barratt's  Chapel ;  here,  to  my 
great  joy,  I  met  those  dear  men  of  God,  Dr.  Coke  and 
Richard  Whatcoat;  we  were  greatly  comforted  together. 

Coke  had  come  to  America  as  superintendent,  or  bishop, 
with  two  elders — Richard  Whatcoat,  "one  of  the  saintliest 
men  in  the  primitive  itinerancy  of  Methodism,"  and  Thomas 
Vasey — for  the  purpose  of  effecting  an  organization  of  the 
Methodist  Societies  in  America,  to  ordain  Asbury  as  general 


1784]  COKE  AND  ASBURY  MEET  227 

superintendent,  likewise  elders  and  deacons,  that  the  people 
of  the  societies  might  receive  the  sacraments  at  the  hands  of 
their  own  ministers.  Stevens  says  of  Coke:  "In  travel  and 
preaching  he  became  as  indefatigable  as  Wesley  or  Whitefield. 
He  was  to  traverse  continually  the  United  Kingdoin,  the 
United  States,  and  the  West  Indies.  He  was  to  have  virtual 
charge,  for  years,  of  the  Irish  Conference,  presiding  at  its  ses- 
sions oftener  than  Wesley  himself.  He  was  to  win  the  title 
of  the  'Foreign  Minister  of  Methodism.'  He  was  to  cross  the 
Atlantic  eighteen  times,  defraying  himself  his  expenses;  to 
organize,  under  Wesley,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as 
its  first  bishop;  to  originate  the  constitutional  organization 
of  English  Methodism  by  Wesley's  Deed  of  Declaration;  to 
found  the  Wesleyan  Missions  in  the  West  Indies,  in  Africa,  in 
Asia,  in  England,  Wales,  and  Ireland;  to  represent,  in  his  own 
person,  down  to  his  death,  the  whole  missionary  operations  of 
Methodism,  as  their  official  and  almost  their  sole  director; 
lavishing  upon  them  his  affluent  fortune,  and  giving  more 
money  to  religion  than  any  other  Methodist,  if  not  any  other 
Protestant  of  his  times." 

The  doctor  preached  on  "Christ  our  wisdom,  right- 
eousness, sanctification,  and  redemption."  Having  had 
no  opportunity  of  conversing  vvith  them  before  pubHc 
worship,  I  was  greatly  surprised  to  see  Brother  Whatcoat 
assist  by  taking  the  cup  in  the  administration  of  the  sac- 
rament. I  was  shocked  when  first  informed  of  the  inten- 
tion of  these  my  brethren  in  coming  to  this  country ;  it 
may  be  of  God.  My  answer  then  was,  if  the  preachers 
unanimously  choose  me,  I  shall  not  act  in  the  capacity  I 
have  hitherto  done  by  Mr.  Wesley's  appointment.  The 
design  of  organizing  the  Methodists  into  an  Independent 
Episcopal  Church  was  opened  to  the  preachers  present, 
and  it  was  agreed  to  call  a  general  Conference,  to  meet 
at  Baltimore  the  ensuing  Christmas ;  as  also  that  Brother 
Garrettson  go  off  to  Virginia  to  give  notice  thereof  to 
our  brethren  in  the  South. 

Nov.  15.  I  was  very  desirous  the  doctor  should  go 
upon  the  track  I  had  just  been  over,  which  he  accord- 
ingly did.  I  came  to  Dover,  and  preached  on  Eph.  5.  6; 
was  close,  and,  I  hope,  profitable. 


228  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1784 

Nov.  16.     Rode  to  Bohemia  Manor,  where  I  met  with 
Thomas  \"asey,  who  came  over  with  the  doctor  and  R. 


REV.    THOMAS    COKE,    D.C.L.    (OXON.). 

Bishop  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  Founder  of  Wesleyan 

Missions. 
(The  original  painting  is  in  the  Wesleyan  Mission  Rooms,  London.) 

Whatcoat.      My   soul    is   deeply   engaged   with    God   to 
know  his  will  in  this  new  business. 

Nov.   17.     Rode  to  quarterly  meeting  at  Deer  Creek; 
thence  by  Mr.  Cough's,  to  Baltimore.     I  preached  in  the 


1784]    PREPARATIONS  FOR  CONFERENCE      229 

evening  to  a  solemn  people,  on,  "O  wicked  man,  tlioii 
shalt  surely  die;"  about  the  ending  of  the  sermon  the 
Hoor  of  the  house  gave  way,  but  no  injury  followed. 

Nov,  2^.  We  rode  twenty  miles  to  Frederick  quarterly 
meeting,  where  Brother  Vasey  preached  on,  "The  Lord 
is  my  shepherd ;  I  shall  not  want."  Our  love  feast  was 
attended  with  the  power  and  presence  of  God.  Leaving 
Frederick,  I  went  to  Calvert  quarterly  meeting.  Brother 
I'oythress  and  myself  had  much  talk  about  the  new  plan. 
At  our  quarterly  meeting  we  had  a  good  time ;  the  love 
feast  was  in  great  life  and  power.  I  admire  the  work  of 
God  among  the  colored  people  in  these  parts. 

Nov.  26.  I  observed  this  day  as  a  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer,  that  I  might  know  the  will  of  God  in  the  matter 
that  is  shortly  to  come  before  our  Conference ;  the 
preachers  and  people  seem  to  be  much  pleased  with  the 
projected  plan ;  I  myself  am  led  to  think  it  is  of  the  Lord. 
I  am  not  tickled  with  the  honor  to  be  gained — I  see  dan- 
ger in  the  way.  My  soul  waits  upon  God.  O  that  he 
may  lead  us  in  the  way  we  should  go !  Part  of  my  time 
is,  and  must  necessarily  be,  taken  up  with  preparing  for 
the  Conference. 

Dec.  4.  Rode  to  Baltimore,  and  preached  on  Mark 
14.  29,  30,  with  freedom.  I  spent  some  time  in  town, 
and  was  greatly  grieved  at  tli£  barrenness  of  the  people ; 
they  appear  to  be  swallowed  up  with  the  cares  of  the 
world. 

Dec.  14.  I  met  Dr.  Coke  at  Abingdon,  ]\Ir.  Richard 
Dallam  kindly  taking  him  there  in  his  coach ;  he  preached, 
on,  "He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life."  We  talked  of  our 
concerns  in  great  love. 

Dec.  15.  My  soul  was  much  blessed  at  the  com- 
munion, where  I  believe  all  were  more  or  less  engaged 
with  God.  I  feel  it  necessary  daily  to  give  up  my  own 
will.  The  doctor  preached  a  great  sermon  on,  "He  that 
loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me,"  etc. 


230  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1784 

Dec.  18.  Spent  the  day  at  Perry  Hall,  partly  in  pre- 
paring for  Conference.  My  intervals  of  time  I  passed  in 
reading  the  third  volume  of  the  British  Arminian  Maga- 
zine. 

The  Christmas  Conference 

Dec.  24.  Having  continued  at  Perry  Hall  for  a  week, 
we  this  day  rode  to  Baltimore,  where  we  met  a  few 
preachers.  It  was  agreed  to  form  ourselves  into  an 
Episcopal  Church,  and  to  have  superintendents,  elders, 
and  deacons.  When  the  Conference  was  seated  Dr. 
Coke  and  myself  were  unanimously  elected  to  the  super- 
intendency  of  the  church,  and  my  ordination  followed, 
after  being  previously  ordained  deacon  and  elder,  as  by 
the  following  certificate  may  be  seen. 

Knozv  all  men  by  tJicsc  presents,  That  I,  Thomas  Coke, 
Doctor  of  Civil  Law ;  late  of  Jesus  College,  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Oxford,  Presbyter  of  the  Church  of  England, 
and  Superintendent  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  America ;  under  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  and 
with  a  single  eye  to  his  glory ;  by  the  imposition  of  my 
hands,  and  prayer  (being  assisted  by  two  ordained 
elders),  did  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  this  month,  De- 
cember, set  apart  Francis  Asbury  for  the  office  of  a 
deacon  in  the  aforesaid  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
And  also  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  the  said  month,  did 
by  the  imposition  of  my  hands,  and  prayer  (being  as- 
sisted by  the  said  elders),  set  apart  the  said  Francis 
Asbury  for  the  office  of  elder  in  the  said  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  And  on  this  twenty-seventh  day  of  the 
said  month,  being  the  day  of  the  date  hereof,  have,  by 
the  imposition  of  my  hands,  and  prayer  (being  assisted 
by  the  said  elders),  set  apart  the  said  Francis  Asbury  for 
the  office  of  a  superintendent  in  the  said  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  a  man  whom  I  judge  to  be  well  qualified 
for  that  great  work.     And  I  do  hereby  recommend  him 


1785]  ELDEI.S  ELECTED  231 

to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  as  a  fit  person  to  preside 
over  the  flock  of  Christ.  In  testimony  whereof  I  have 
hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  this  twenty-seventh  day 
of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1784. 

Thomas  Coke. 


Twelve  elders  were  elected,  and  solemnly  set  apart  to 
serve  our  societies  in  the  United  States,  one  for  Antigua, 
and  two  for  Nova  Scotia.  We  spent  the  whole  week  in 
Conference,  debating  freely,  and  determining  all  things 
by  a  majority  of  votes.  The  doctor  preached  every  day 
at  noon,  and  some  one  of  the  other  preachers  morning 
and  evening.  We  were  in  great  haste,  and  did  much 
business  in  a  little  time. 

First  Sermon  After  Ordination 

Jan.  3,  1785.  The  Conference  is  risen,  and  I  have 
now  a  little  time  for  rest.  In  the  evening  I  preached  on 
Eph.  3.  8,  being  the  first  sermon  after  my  ordination; 
my  mind  was  unsettled,  and  I  was  but  low  in  my  own 
testimony. 

Jan.  4.  I  w^as  engaged  preparing  for  my  journey 
southward.  Rode  fifty  miles  through  frost  and  snow  to 
Fairfax,  Mrginia,  and  got  in  about  seven  o'clock. 

Tax.  8.  Rode  to  Brother  Fry's  to  dinner,  where  I  met 
with  Brother  Willis,  who  had  stopped  there  on  his  way 
to  the  Conference. 

Jan.  9.  We  read  prayers,  preached,  ordained  Brother 
Willis  deacon,  and  baptized  some  children.  I  feel  noth- 
ing but  love.  I  am  sometimes  afraid  of  being  led  to  think 
something  more  of  myself  in  my  new  station  than 
formerly. 

Jan.  II.  In  the  morning  I  discovered  that  my  horse 
was  very  lame ;  after  some  time  he  grew  better.  The 
adversary  tries  to  get  me  into  a  fretful  spirit ;  our  journey 
was  attended  with  some  difficulties,  but  I  do  not  murmur. 


1785]       ADMINISTERS  TPIE  SACRAMENT  233 

I  had  dreaded  the  ice  in  James  River,  but  we  crossed 
with  the  greatest  ease.  We  directed  our  course  to  Stan- 
ton River;  and  here  we  waited  some  time  at  Hunt's 
Landing.  ]\Ir.  Flunt  was  so  kind  as  to  insist  on  our 
staying  with  him ;  and  we  were  tired  enough  to  want 
rest.     I  lectured  in  his  family  night  and  morning. 

Jan.  15.  Preached  and  administered  the  sacrament  at 
Royster's  Church ;  then  rode  to  Brother  Phelps's,  where 
I  was  pointed,  on  Rev.  17.  14. 

Jan.  18.  Brother  Willis  was  ordained  elder  at  Car- 
ter's Church ;  the  Lord  was  with  us  in  this,  the  sacra- 
ment, and  the  love  feast,  and  all  was  in  life. 

Baptizes  Some  Children 

Jx\N.  21.  After  preaching  at  Thompson's,  and  bap- 
tizing some  children,  we  set  out  for  Short's.  Traveling 
onward,  we  came  to  a  creek ;  it  was  so  dark  by  this  time 
that  we  could  not  find  the  ford ;  we  rode  back  a  mile,  and 
engaged  a  young  man  who  undertook  to  be  our  guide, 
but  he  himself  was  scarcely  able  to  keep  the  way.  We 
rode  with  great  pain  to  Waggoner's  Chapel,  and  after 
pushing  on  through  deep  streams  I  had  only  nine  hear- 
ers ;  this  was  owing  to  the  carelessness  of  the  person  who 
should  have  published  the  notice  of  our  coming. 

Jan.  28.  My  horse  being  unfit  to  travel,  I  borrowed 
another,  and  went  on  seventeen  miles  to  Fisher's  River, 
where  I  met  with  a  few  poor  people.  Nothing  could  have 
better  pleased  our  old  Church  folks  than  the  late  step  we 
have  taken  in  administering  the  ordinances ;  to  the 
catholic  Presbyterians  it  also  gives  satisfaction;  but  the 
Baptists  are  discontented. 

Feb.  6.  Yesterday  some  were  prevented  from  offering 
their  children  to  God  in  baptism  by  a  zealous  Baptist. 
To-day  Brother  Willis  spoke  on  the  right  of  infants  to 
baptism ;  our  opposer  soon  took  his  leave. 

Feb.  7.     I  preached  at  Elsberry's,  and  rode  thirty-one 


234  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1785 

miles  to  Morgan  Bryan's.  The  weather  has  been  cold 
and  uncomfortable.  I  have  ridden,  on  the  horse  I  bor- 
rowed, nearly  three  hundred  miles  in  about  nine  days. 

Baptizes  by  Immersion 

Feb.  8.  I  observed  this  as  a  day  of  abstinence.  I 
preached  and  administered  the  sacrament ;  held  a  love 
feast ;  our  friends  were  greatly  comforted.  Here  I 
plunged  four  adults,  at  their  own  request,  they  being 
persuaded  that  this  w^as  the  most  proper  mode  of 
baptizing. 

In  one  of  his  letters  Asbury  declares  that  owing  to  the 
encroachments  of  the  Baptists  in  Virginia  baptism  by  immer- 
sion was  practiced,  but  abandoned  at  the  end  of  the  year. 

Feb.  24.  I  preached  in  Georgetown  on  i  Cor.  2.  14, 
to  a  serious  people.  A  Mr.  Wayne,  a  nephew  of  the 
celebrated  General  Wayne,  introduced  himself  to  us, 
with  whom  we  took  breakfast ;  on  parting  he  showed  us 
the  way  to  the  ferry,  and  paid  our  ferriage.  I  found  the 
Lord  had  brought  him  through  deep  exercises  of  soul. 
We  traveled  on  through  a  barren  country,  in  all  respects, 
toward  Charlestown.  We  came  that  evening  to  Scott's, 
where  the  people  seemed  to  be  merry ;  they  soon  became 
mute ;  we  talked  and  prayed  with  them ;  in  the  morning, 
when  we  took  leave  of  them,  they  would  receive  nothing. 
We  met  Brother  Willis ;  he  had  gone  along  before  us, 
and  had  made  an  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Wells,  a  re- 
spectable merchant  of  the  city,  to  whom  he  had  carried 
letters  of  introduction  from  Mr.  Wayne,  of  Georgetown. 
I  jogged  on,  dejected  in  spirit,  and  came  to  Mr.  Wells's. 
We  obtained  the  use  of  an  old  meetinghouse  belonging  to 
the  Baptists,  in  which  they  had  ceased  to  preach.  Brother 
Willis  preached  at  noon.  Brother  Jesse  Lee  morning  and 
evening.  I  first  went  to  the  Episcopal  church,  and  then 
to  the  Independent  meetinghouse ;  at  this  last  I  heard  a 
erood  discourse, 


1785]  A  DISCIPLE  OF  HERVEY  235 

Mar.  10.  This  day  I  delivered  my  last  discourse  on 
I  Pet.  3.  15.  I  loved  and  pitied  the  people,  and  left  some 
under  gracious  impressions.  We  took  our  leave,  and 
had  the  satisfaction  of  observing  that  Mrs.  Wells  ap-. 
peared  to  be  very  sensibly  affected. 

Refuses  Compensation  for  Baptizing 

We   had   rough   crossing,   in  going  over  the   Bay   to 

Hadrell's  Point.    I  baptized  two  children  at  Mr.  S_ 's, 

for  which  I  was  oft'ered  a  great  reward ;  but  it  was  by 
persons  who  did  not  know  that  neither  my  own  feelings 
nor  the  constitution  of  our  church  permitted  me  to  re- 
ceive any  compensation  for  such  services. 

Mar.  13.  The  people  generally  attended  and  were 
serious.  We  found  Mrs.  Wayne  under  deep  distress 
of  soul. 

From  Georgetown  we  came  b_v  Kingstree  and  got  to 
Mr.  Durant's,  who,  I  had  heard,  was  a  Methodist.  We 
found  him,  in  sentiment,  one  of  Mr.  Hervey's  disciples, 
but  not  in  the  enjoyment  of  religion.  I  delivered  my 
own  soul  before  I  took  my  leave  of  him. 

Hearing  of  Brother  Daniel  at  Town  Creek,  I  resolved 
to  make  a  push  for  his  house ;  it  was  forty  miles  distant, 
and  I  did  not  start  until  nine  o'clock.  I  dined  at  Lock- 
wood's  Folly,  and  got  in  about  seven  o'clock.  O,  how 
happy  was  I  to  be  received,  and  my  dear  friends  to  re- 
ceive me !  I  have  been  out  for  six  weeks,  and  ridden 
near  five  hundred  miles  among  strangers  to  me,  to  God. 
and  to  the  power  of  religion.  How  could  I  live  in  the 
world  if  there  were  no  Christians  in  it ! 

Mar.  20  (North  Carolina).  The  bell  went  round  to 
give  notice,  and  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation. 
When  I  had  done,  behold,  F.  Hill  came  into  the  room 
powdered  off,  with  a  number  of  fine  ladies  and  gentle- 
men. As  I  could  not  get  my  horse  and  bags,  I  heard  him 
out.     I  verily  believe  his  sermon  was  his  own,  it  was  so 


236 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1785 


much  like  his  conversation.     I  came  away  well  satisfied 
that  I  had  delivered  my  own  soul. 

Mar.  21.  On  my  way  I  stopped  at  A 's  and  bap- 
tized some  children ;  the  poor  mother  held  out  a  piece  of 
gold  to  me.  This  is  the  pay  of  the  priests  here  for  such 
service.  Lord,  keep  me  from  the  love  of  honor,  money, 
and  ease. 


■"-l^^ftto--^.  • 


THE    HOUSE   OF   REV.    GREEN    HILL. 

Here  was  held  April  20,  1785,  the  first  Annual  Conference  session  of 
the  newly  organized  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  America.  At  this 
Conference  there  were  four  distinguished  pioneers  of  Methodism,  Bishops 
Asbury  and  Coke,  and  Revs.  John  King  and  Green  Hill,  the  two  last 
named  being  brothers-in-law. 

Apr.  II.  Preached  in  the  courthouse  at  Kingston.  I 
was  entertained  very  kindly  by  Governor  Caswell. 

Apr.  19.  Preached  at  the  Cypress  chapel,  and  had 
many  people  to  hear.  I  met  Dr.  Coke  at  G.  Hill's  that 
evening ;  here  we  held  our  Conference  in  great  peace. 


1785]  RULES  AGAINST  SLAVERY  237 

Apr.  26.  I  preached  at  liridge  Creek  Chapel.  I  was 
very  ill,  and  was  tempted  to  think  the  Lord  was  about  to 
lay  me  aside,  or  take  me  away,  and  detain  Dr.  Coke  in 
America. 

Apr.  30.  Rode  to  W.  Mason's,  where  we  are  to  meet 
in  Conference.  I  found  the  minds  of  the  people  greatly 
agitated  with  our  rules  against  slavery,  and  a  proposed 
petition  to  the  general  assembly  for  the  emancipation  of 

the  blacks.     Colonel  and  Dr.  Coke  disputed  on  the 

subject,  and  the  Colonel  used  some  threats.  Next  day 
Brother  O'Kelly  let  fly  at  them,  and  they  were  angry 
enough ;  we,  however,  came  off  with  whole  bones,  and 
our  business  in  Conference  was  finished  in  peace. 

Lodges  in  a  Poorhotise 

May  12.  Rode  to  York,  lately  the  seat  of  war.  Here 
Lord  Cornwallis  surrendered  to  the  combined  armies  of 
Atuerica  and  France.  The  inhabitants  are  dissolute  and 
careless.  I  preached  to  a  few  serious  women  at  one 
o'clock,  and,  at  the  desire  of  the  ladies,  again  at  four 
o'clock.  I  came  to  Mrs.  Rowe's ;  the  son  was  once  on 
our  side ;  he  has  left  us,  and  now  we  have  the  mother. 
I  lodged  in  the  poorhouse. 

May  22.  Notwithstanding  it  rained,  many  attended, 
of  both  rich  and  poor;  but  in  the  afternoon  the  wind,  or 
the  rain,  kept  the  gentry  away;  many  of  the  common 
people  heard  gladly.  From  Annapolis  we  rode  to  Alex- 
andria, to  meet  Dr.  Coke ;  he  did  not  come,  however, 
until  the  next  day. 

Calls  on  General  Washingtoo 

May  26.  We  waited  on  General  Washington,  who  re- 
ceived us  very  politely,  and  gave  us  his  opinion  against 
slavery. 

May  27.  We  returned  to  Annapolis.  The  doctor 
preached    at    six    o'clock,    to    a    crowded    congregation ; 


238  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1785 

thence,    passing    through    Baltimore,    we    came    to    Mr. 
Goiigh's. 

May  30.  We  went  to  Abingdon,  to  settle  our  college 
business,  and  took  a  bond  for  the  conveyance  of  the 
ground ;  we  then  returned,  and  fixed  our  plan  for  the 
approaching  Conference. 

Bishop  Coke  Departs 

June  i.  Our  Conference  began.  I  was  sick  during 
the  session,  a  blister  running,  applied  for  a  pain  in  my 
breast.  On  Thursday  the  doctor  took  his  leave  of 
America  for  this  visit.  We  parted  with  heavy  hearts. 
On  Friday  we  rested  from  our  labors,  and  had  a  love 
feast. 

June  4.  I  spent  three  hours  profitably  in  reading  the 
printed  minutes  of  the  Conference. 

June  5.  I  rode  to  Abingdon,  to  preach  the  foundation 
sermon  of  Cokesbury  College.  I  stood  on  the  ground 
where  the  building  is  to  be  erected,  warm  as  it  was,  and 
spoke  from  Psa.  78.  4-8.  I  had  liberty  in  speaking,  and 
faith  to  believe  the  work  would  go  on. 

June  28.  Rode  to  the  Springs  called  Bath ;  now 
under  great  improvement.  I  preached  in  the  playhouse, 
and  lodged  under  the  same  roof  with  the  actors.  Some 
folks,  who  would  not  hear  me  in  their  own  neighbor- 
hood, made  now  a  part  of  my  audience,  both  night  and 
morning. 

July  28.  Being  in  a  good  degree  recovered,  I  felt 
thankful.  My  spirit  is  grieved  at  so  much  vanity  as  is 
seen  here  at  Bath,  by  the  many  poor  careless  sinners 
around  me.  The  living  is  expensive,  four  dollars  per 
week. 

Aug.  I.  Rode  thirty  miles;  I  was  almost  spent;  I  ate 
a  little,  and  was  glad  to  get  to  bed. 

Aug.  4.  Reached  Baltimore.  Our  friends  here  have 
bought  a   lot,  and  are  building  a  new   chapel  thereon, 


1785]  MANY  SICKNESSES  239 

scvent\-  In-  forty-six  feet ;  it  is  well  fixed  for  entrances 
and  light. 

Aug.  20.  From  preaching  so  frequently  in  the  even- 
ings, and  consequent  exposure  to  night  air,  I  suffered  a 
relapse,  and  the  inflammation  of  my  throat  returned ; 
to  this  was  added  a  bilious  lax,  so  that  I  was  laid  up  at 
Air.  Cough's  from  the  seventh.  During  my  stay  Mrs. 
Chamicr  departed  this  life,  and  is  gone,  I  trust,  to  Abra- 
ham's bosom.  It  has  been  a  school  of  affliction  to  me; 
but  I  am  thankful  that  in  my  sufferings  I  had  a  skillful 
physician,  and  constant  attendance  from  my  kind  nurses, 
and  I  was  in  a  house  where  prayer  was  wont  to  be  made. 
I  have  been  taught  the  necessity  of  walking  more  holily 
and  humbly  with  God  ;  to  pray  more  ferventl}-.  and  to 
preach  more  faithfully. 

Aug.  21.  I  was  just  able  to  perform  the  funeral  rites 
of  Mrs.  Chamier.  I  preached  to  about  one  thousand 
people,  and  had  a  very  serious  time. 

A  Sacramental  Sermon 

Aug.  28  (Philadelphia).  Preached  a  sacramental  ser- 
mon on  Rom.  8.  2,~-  ^"i"  congregation  was  large  in  the 
evening,  to  whom  I  enlarged  on  Josh.  24.  19. 

Aug.  31.  Reached  New  York,  and  preached  the  three 
following  days,  although  weak  in  body  and  languid  in 
spirit. 

Sept.  4.  Notwithstanding  I  was  very  sick,  I 
preached  thrice,  read  prayers  twice,  and  held  a  k)ve 
feast :  my  flesh  w^ent  heavily  along.  Our  society  here. has 
increased  in  number  and  grace ;  our  congregations  also 
grow  larger.  I  feel  deeper  desires  to  be  given  up  to 
God.  My  friends  here  have  been  liberal  in  supplying  my 
temporal  needs ;  may  they  be  abundantly  rewarded  in 
spirituals ! 

Sept.  7.  After  preaching,  this  morning,  I  left  the 
citv.     Overstaving  the  hour,  the  stage  left  us,  and  we 


240  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1785 

found  ourselves  under  the  necessity  of  walking  six  miles. 
I  dined  with  Mr.  Ogden,  and  preached  in  Elizabethtown, 
in  the  unfinished  church  belonging  to  the  Presbyterians. 

Sept.  24.  From  Salem  we  proceeded  on  thirty  miles 
through  a  great  storm ;  we  were  glad  to  stop  at  Glou- 
cester, where  we  had  a  room  to  ourselves,  enjoying  our 
Christian  privileges,  and  were  comfortable.  Next  morn- 
ing we  came  on  to  Cooper's  Ferry,  and,  although  the 
wind  blew  violently  in  the  morning,  when  we  came  to 
the  ferry  all  was  calm.  We  breakfasted  in  Philadelphia 
early  enough  for  church. 

Sept.  26.  Set  out  for  the  South;  and  arrived  at 
Chester.  Next  day  preached  at  Mattson's ;  arriving  at 
Wilmington,  I  preached  there  on  James  i.  2^. 

Oct.  I.  Came  to  Dover.  I  had  the  courthouse  full  of 
people,  but  I  was  not  in  possession  of  liberty  of  mind  or 
strength  of  body  to  preach.    The  election  is  not  yet  over. 

Oct.  3.  We  had  a  gracious  season  at  the  sacrament 
at  Purdon's.  That  evening  I  rode  to  Brother  White's, 
and  was  closely  occupied  with  temporals. 

Oct.  24.  Set  off  from  Brother  White's  for  Dorset 
Circuit.  I  preached  at  Brother  Frazier's  in  the  evening. 
After  visiting  the  societies  in  this  quarter  I  came  on  Sat- 
urday to  Caroline  quarterly  meeting,  at  the  widow  Has- 
kins's ;  here  we  had  a  gracious  season.  Rode  to  Dover 
quarterly  meeting.  Our  brethren  preached  and  exhorted, 
and  I  administered  the  sacrament. 

Crosses  the  Chesapeake  with  Difficulty 

Nov.  5.  I  crossed  the  Chesapeake,  and  found  some 
difficulty  in  getting  my  wagon  over;  I  missed  my  ap- 
pointment at  the  college,  and  came  late  to  Mr.  Cough's. 

Nov.  6.  Came  away  early,  and,  arriving  in  Baltimore, 
preached  at  noon,  on  Heb.  11.  2-8;  and  at  night,  on 
Caleb's  fully  following  the  Lord.  I  found  the  means  of 
conveyance  by  my  Jersey  wagon  would  not  do. 


1785]  BUYS  SECONDHAND  SULKY  241 

Nov.  9.  I  was  under  considerable  exercise  of  mind 
about  my  carriage ;  I  at  length  resolved  to  decline  travel- 
ing in  it,  and,  buying  a  secondhand  sulky,  left  it  to  be 
sold.  I  now  traveled  light  and  easy,  and  came  to  Child's 
Church. 

Nov.  15.  I  dined  with  Dr,  Samuel  Smith  at  General 
Roberdeau's.  Our  conversation  turned  upon  slavery,  the 
difficulties  attending  emancipation,  and  the  resentment 
some  of  the  members  of  the  Virginia  Legislature  ex- 
pressed against  those  who  favored  a  general  abolition. 

Seriously  Indisposed 

Nov.  17.  The  mOrning  was  very  damp,  and  I  impru- 
dently set  out  an  hour  before  day;  I  thus  increased  the 
cold  I  had  caught  in  Alexandria,  and  brought  on  a  regu- 
lar attack  of  my  old  complaint — an  inflammation  in  the 
throat.  The  day  was  very  cold,  and  we  suffered  much ; 
we  stopped  at  a  very  indifferent  house,  where  there  were 
no  beds  fit  for  use,  and  no  candles ;  we  had  to  wait  about 
two  hours  for  some  boiled  milk.  My  fever  and  inflam- 
mation increasing,  I  rode  on  thirty-three  miles,  to  Col- 
lins's,  in  Caroline  County,  where  I  became  indisposed 
indeed. 

Nov.  27.  I  went  to  Chickahominy  Church,  where  con- 
ditional notice  had  been  given  for  Brother  Reed.  I 
preached  on  Acts  5.  31,  and  spent  the  evening  at  Mr. 
Weiden's.  My  foot  continuing  in  such  a  state  as  to  pre- 
vent my  going  to  my  appointments,  I  was  led  to  reflect 
on  this  dark  providence.  Unwilling  to  be  idle,  I  wrote 
to  the  preachers  to  do  what  they  could  in  collecting 
money  to  carry  on  the  building  of  our  college.  For 
some  time  past  I  had  not  been  quite  satisfied  with  the 
order  and  arrangement  of  our  form  of  discipline,  and, 
persuaded  that  it  might  be  improved  without  difficulty, 
we  accordingly  set  about  it,  and  during  my  confinement 
in  James  City  completed  the  work,  arranging  the  sub- 


242  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1786 

jcct-matter  thereof  under  their  proper  heads,  divisions, 
and  sections. 

Dec.  24-25.  We  held  quarterly  meeting  at  Swans- 
boro ;  many  people,  little  religion.  We  came  to  Ford's 
Ferry  on  Drowning  Creek.  The  waters  had  risen,  and 
extended  far  outward  from  the  banks  of  the  stream ; 
here  we  were  brought  to  a  full  stop.  Providentially,  we 
found  a  man  there  who  was  waiting  for  his  brother  to 
fetch  him  over;  the  brother  came,  and  we  all  crossed 
over  together;  not,  however,  without  danger — bushes 
would  strike  the  horses,  and  their  capering  about  had 
well-nigh  overset  the  boat. 

Jan.  4,  1786.  I  rode  my  sore-backed  horse  about 
thirty  miles  to  Dunham's,  in  Britain  Neck.  Dunham 
is  in  despair;  this,  perhaps,  is  constitutional,  or  it  may 
be  owing  to  his  circumstances. 

Jan.  10.  Rode  to  Wappataw.  It  was  no  small  com- 
fort to  me  to  see  a  very  good  frame  prepared  for  the 
erection  of  a  meetinghouse  for  us,  on  that  very  road 
along  which,  last  year,  we  had  gone  pensive  and  dis- 
tressed, without  a  friend  to  entertain  us. 

Jan.  20.  I  left  the  city,  and  found  the  road  so  bad 
that  I  was  thankful  I  had  left  my  carriage,  and  had  a 
saddle  and  a  good  pair  of  boots.  We  were  water-bound 
at  Waccamaw,  where  I  found  a  few  who  had  been 
awakened  by  the  instrumentality  of  our  preachers.  I 
was  comforted  in  reading  Mr.  Zublee's  account  of  the 
death  of  some  pious  Germans,  and  also  Mrs.  Fletcher's 
account  of  her  husband's  death. 

Jan.  23.  The  Waccamaw  being  still  impassable,  we 
directed  our  course  up  the  low  lands  through  the  wild 
woods,  until  we  came  to  Mr.  Winter's,  an  able  planter, 
who  would  have  us  to  dine  with  him  and  stay  the  night. 
His  wife's  mother  being  ill,  and  desiring  the  sacrament, 
we  went  to  her  apartment,  and  there  had  a  solemn  time. 
In  this  worthy  family  we  had  prayer  night  and  morning. 


fG-eoRC-GTovra: 


'CHARLESTON 


BISHOP  asp.ury's  first  episcopal  tour,  1785. 

Leaving  Baltimore  at  the  close  of  the  Christmas  Conference  he  reached 
Fairfax,  Virginia,  January  4,  1785;  crossed  the  state  and  reached  North 
Carolina  January  20;  was  at  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  February  10; 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  February  24;  Wilmington,  North  Carolina, 
March  19;  Green  Hill's  (Conference)  April  19;  Yorktown,  Virginia,  May  12; 
Annapolis,  May  14;  Mount  Vernon,  May  26;  Baltimore,  June  i  (Conference). 


244  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1786 

Jan.  24.  We  made  an  early  start.  We  stopped  at  a 
tavern  for  breakfast ;  the  landlord  had  seen  and  heard 
me  preach  three  years  before  in  A'irginia,  and  wonld 
receive  no  pay. 

Feb.  4.  Was  a  very  rainy  day ;  however,  we  pnshed 
on,  and  rode  this  day  about  fifty  miles.  We  crossed  the 
North  Branch  of  the  Catawba  River,  and,  arriving  late 
at  the  South  Branch,  we  providentially  met  with  a  man 
who  was  acquainted  with  ford  and  piloted  us  safe  over; 
it  was  dark,  and  the  river  mild.  Through  a  heavy 
day's  journey  we  came,  wet  and  weary,  to  ]\Ir.  Moore's. 

Quarterly  Meeting  at  Gordon^s 

Feb.  8.  We  rode  forty  computed,  and,  perhaps,  in 
truth,  fifty  miles,  to  quarterly  meeting  at  Gordon's,  at 
the  Mulberry  Fields,  on  the  Yadkin  River ;  here  we  met 
with  Brothers  Ivey,  Bingham,  and  Williamson. 

Feb,  14.  We  rode  through  the  snow  to  Heady's, 
where,  to  my  surprise,  I  found  that  the  poor  people  had 
built  a  good  house  of  logs ;  and,  not  satisfied  with  this, 
they  must  needs  collect  a  little  money  for  me,  if  I  would 
receive  it. 

Feb.  19.  Preached  at  Morgan  Bryan's.  Next  day  I 
set  off  in  the  rain,  and  traveled  with  it ;  we  swam  Grant's 
Creek,  and  reached  Salisbury  in  the  evening,  wet  and 
weary.  I  thought  we  should  scarcely  have  preachers 
at  the  time  appointed,  but  the  bad  weather  did  not  stop 
their  coming.  We  spent  three  days  in  Conference,  and 
went  through  our  business  with  satisfaction.  Having 
sent  our  horses  into  the  country,  we  could  not  get  them 
when  they  were  wanted ;  I  therefore  borrowed  Brother 
Tunnell's  horse,  and  went  on  to  my  appointments. 

Mar.  2.  I  preached  on,  "This  do  in  remembrance  of 
me" ;  and  it  was  a  solemn,  good  time. 

Mar.  25.  Read  our  Form  of  Discipline,  in  manuscript, 
which  Brother  Dickins  has  been  preparing  for  the  press. 


1786J  EASTER  DAY  245 

Apr.  I  (\'iri^inia).  Rode  through  the  rain  twenty- 
four  miles  to  the  widow  Bedford's,  where  hut  a  few, 
besides  the  society,  came.  I  met  the  married  men  and 
women  apart,  and  there  were  tenderness  and  tears, 
greatly  felt,  and  copiously  shed,  among  them. 

Apr.  16.  Being  Easter  Day,  I  preached  at  the  Mana- 
kintowii  on  Col.  3.  1-4,  with  some  freedom. 

Apr.  23.  Hail,  glorious  Lord !  After  deep  exercises 
of  body  and  mind,  I  feel  a  solemn  sense  of  God  on  my 
heart.  I  preached  by  day  in  the  courthouse,  on  i  Pet. 
3.  10;  and  in  the  evening  at  the  Presbyterian  church, 
on  Luke  19.  41,  42.  Alexandria  must  grow;  and  if  re- 
ligion prospers  among  them  it  will  be  blessed.  I  drew 
a  plan  and  set  on  foot  a  subscription  for  a  meetinghouse. 

Apr.  26.  Arrived  in  Baltimore,  and  was  occupied  for 
several  days  in  collecting  money  for  the  books,  and  in- 
specting the  accounts  of  the   Book  Concern. 

Takes  Collection  for  Missionaries 

Apr.  30.  I  preached  three  times,  and  made  a  collec- 
tion to  defra}'  the  expenses  of  sending  missionaries  to 
the  Western  settlements ;  I  spoke  twice  on  the  same  sub- 
ject through  the  course  of  the  week. 

]\L\.Y  8.  Our  Conference  began  at  Abingdon,  where 
love,  candor,  and  precision  marked  our  deliberations. 

May  13.  We  find  that  the  college  is  now  only  fit  for 
covering,  and  we  are  already  in  debt  nearly  £900,  and 
money  is  scarce.  Came  to  Baltimore  to  spend  another 
tedious  week. 

]\LvY  21.  I  preached  in  the  new  meetinghouse  in  Light 
Street,  on,  "I  had  rather  be  a  doorkeeper  in  the  house 
of  my  God,  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness." 
And  in  the  evening  I  spoke  on  i  Kings  9.  6-9 ;  it  was  a 
very  solemn  time,  a  warning  to  our  young  people. 

May  2T,.  We  had  a  watch-night.  Brother  Whatcoat 
preached ;  it  was  a  moving  season. 


246  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1786 

June  i.  I  reached  Shepardstown  with  difficulty,  and 
in  pain.  The  people  here  are  displeased  with  me  because 
I  do  not  send  them  Brother  Vasey.  Riding  through  so 
much  wet  and  damp  weather  has  caused  the  inflamma- 
tion of  my  foot.  We  have  had  rain  for  eighteen  days 
successively,  and  I  have  ridden  about  two  hundred  miles 
in  eight  or  nine  days. 

June  13.  I  had  an  open  time  at  Colonel  Barratt's. 
My  lameness  discourages  me.  Praise  the  Lord !  there 
is  a  little  religion  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Potomac, 
and  this  is  some  comfort,  without  which  this  Alleghany 
would  make  me  gloomy  indeed.  Sick  or  lame,  I  must 
try  for  Redstone  to-morrow.  My  mind  has  been  deeply 
impressed  with  the  necessity  of  getting  our  people  to  set 
apart  the  five  o'clock  hour  wholly  for  prayer ;  to  estab- 
lish prayer  meetings,  and  to  speak  evil  of  no  man. 

June  15.  We  rode  about  twenty-two  miles,  and  were 
kindly  entertained  for  five  shillings  and  sixpence. 

June  22.  Crossed  the  Alonongahela  at  Redstone  at 
Old  Fort,  w^here  they  are  building  a  town.  I  am  now 
among  some  of  my  old  friends  that  moved  from  Mary- 
land to  this  country. 

June  23.  We  are  now  going  to  the  frontiers,  and  may 
take  a  peep  into  the  Indian  land.  This  is  a  fruitful  dis- 
trict, and  I  hope  it  will  prosper  in  religion. 

June  25.  After  preaching  we  rode  fifteen  miles  to 
Doddridge's  Fort.  We  arrived  just  at  sunset,  and  I  was 
comforted  in  the  company  of  Brother  Smith  and  others 
of  my  old  friends  from  Maryland. 

Preaches  at  Cox's  Fort 

June  26.  Preached  in  Cox's  Fort  on  the  Ohio  River, 
on  "Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  do  good ;  so  shalt  thou  dwell 
in  the  land"  (Psa.  37.  3).  We  found  it  necessary  to  re- 
turn, they  said  twelve,  but  I  thought  fifteen  miles.  We 
were  lost  in  the  woods,  and  it  rained  all  the  way. 


1786]  ILL  AND  DISPIRITED  247 

July  3  (Maryland).  We  rode  through  gloomy  moun- 
tains, and  over  rough  roads  for  two  hours  in  the  dark, 
where  both  man  and  horse  were  in  danger ;  but  the  Lord 
was  our  preserver,  and  no  accident  happened  to  us. 

July  4.  I  came  to  Ikirratt's,  where  God  spoke  to 
the  hearts  of  a  few  souls,  who  were  not  a  little  moved. 
Here  I  was  almost  ready  to  drop  for  want  of  sleep. 

Tempted  to  Impatience 

July  5.  I  have  been  greatly  tempted  to  impatience 
and  discontent.  The  roads  are  bad,  my  horse's  hind  feet 
without  shoes,  and  but  little  to  eat.  To  this  I  may  add 
that  the  lodgings  are  unclean  and  uncomfortable.  I 
rode  across  the  mountain  to  Spurgin's,  where  I  met  with 
a  number  of  serious  souls.  I  do  not  repent  coming  fifteen 
miles.  I  preached  on,  "That  we  may  have  boldness  in 
the  day  of  judgment."  I  rode  twenty-two  miles  to  Fos- 
ter's, along  a  blind  path,  and  came  in  about  nine  o'clock, 
and  was  thankful.  I  have,  in  six  days,  ridden  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles,  on  as  bad  roads  as  any  I  have 
seen  on  the  continent. 

July  ir.  I  rested  to  look  over  some  papers  and  pre- 
pare some  parchments.  Spent  nearly  a  third  of  the  day 
in  prayer,  that  the  Lord  would  go  with  me  to  the  Springs. 

July  13  (Virginia).  I  came  to  Bath;  the  water  made 
me  sick.  I  took  some  pills,  and  drank  chicken  broth, 
and  mended.  I  am  ill  in  body,  and  dispirited.  I  am  sub- 
ject to  a  headache,  which  prevents  my  reading  or  writ- 
ing much,  and  have  no  friends  here.  Having  no  appoint- 
ments for  three  weeks  to  come,  I  have  concluded  to  stay 
here  a  while ;  and  I  am  the  more  inclined  so  to  do  as  I 
am  apprehensive  my  stomach  wants  all  the  healing  effi- 
cacy of  the  waters  to  restore  it  to  its  proper  tone. 

July  30.  I  spoke  plainly  and  closely  in  the  playhouse, 
on,  "O,  wicked  man,  thou  shalt  surely  die."  The  people 
were  serious.     I  cannot  get  the  people  to  attend  preach- 


248  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1786 

ing  except  on  the  Sabbath.  This  evil  is  to  be  remedied 
only,  I  presume,  by  our  getting  a  preaching  house,  and 
preaching  therein  by  candle-light. 

Aug.  15.  Came  to  my  old  friend  B.  Boydstone's.  I 
had  the  happiness  of  seeing  that  tender  woman,  his  wife, 
who  careth  for  the  preachers  as  for  her  own  soul;  full 
oft  hath  she  refreshed  m}'  spirit:  her  words,  looks,  and 
gestures  appear  to  be  heavenly.  Here  I  could  make  no 
stay,  lest  I  should  miss  my  appointments  in  Philadelphia ; 
and  if  so,  be  too  late  for  those  made  in  the  Jerseys  and 
New  York. 

Aug.  21.  Reached  Mr.  Cough's,  where  I  spent  two 
days.  The  weather  was  very  warm  :  but  for  one  hundred 
miles  and  upward  I  have  had  it  sufficiently  agreeable. 

Aug.  23.  Came  to  Abingdon.  Our  college  is  still 
without  a  cover,  and  our  managers,  as  I  expected,  al- 
most out  of  breath.  I  made  but  little  stay,  but  hasted 
on  to  Philadelphia,  and  arrived  there  on  the  twenty- 
sixth,  Saturday. 

Aug.  31.  Reached  New  York,  having  traveled  three 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  since  I  left  Bath,  in  Virginia. 

Revises  His  Journal 

Sept.  10.  Being  taken  ill,  and  confined  about  eight 
days,  I  spent  some  time  in  looking  over  my  journals, 
which  I  have  kept  for  fifteen  years  back.  Some  things  I 
corrected,  and  some  I  expunged.  Perhaps,  if  they  are 
not  published  before,  they  will  be  after  my  death,  to  let 
my  friends  and  the  world  see  how  I  have  employed  my 
time  in  America.  I  feel  the  worth  of  souls,  and  the 
weight  of  the  pastoral  charge,  and  that  the  conscientious 
discharge  of  its  important  duties  requires  something 
more  than  human  learning,  unwieldy  salaries,  or  clerical 
titles  of  D.D.,  or  even  bishops.  The  eyes  of  all,  both 
preachers  and  people,  will  be  opened  in  time. 

Sept.  16.     It  was  a  very  solemn  season  at  the  ordina- 


1786]  DICKINS  ORDAINED  ELDER  249 

tion  of  Brother  Dickins  to  the  eldership.  I  gave  the 
chart^-e  from  i  Tim.  3.  10,  14.  In  the  afternoon  I 
preached  to  the  people  from  these  words,  "i'ray  for  us;" 
and  in  the  evening  from  "The  world  by  wisdom  knew 
not  God :  it  pleased  God  by  the  foolishness  of  preaching 
to  save  them  that  believe."  I  met  the  society,  and  opened 
my  mind  to  them  on  various  subjects. 

Sept.    19.     I   have  been  a  little   grieved   with  letters 

from  ;  but  it  is  in  vain  to  look  for  more  than  man 

in  the  best  of  men.  My  witness  is  on  high ;  and  I  shall 
have  respect  to  my  Great  Shepherd  in  all  things.  After 
preaching  on  "The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
the  love  of  God,"  etc.,  and  settling  some  temporal  mat- 
ters relative  to  the  support  of  the  stationed  preachers,  I 
left  the  city  and  came  to  Elizabethtown.  At  seven 
o'clock  I  preached,  and  had  much  liberty. 

Sept.  28.  Since  this  day  week  we  have  ridden  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  over  dead  sands,  and  among 
a  dead  people,  and  a  long  space  between  meals. 

Sept.  29.  I  preached  in  a  close,  hot  place,  and  ad- 
ministered the  sacrament.  I  was  almost  ready  to  faint. 
I  feel  fatigued  and  much  dispirited.  We  lodged  at  Free- 
dom Lucas's,  near  Batskow,  an  honest-hearted  man.  We 
shall  see  whether  he  will  continue  to  be  the  same  simple- 
hearted  Christian  he  now  is  when  he  gets  possession  of 
the  estate  which,  it  is  said,  has  fallen  to  him  in  England, 

Oct.  14.  Came  to  Sandtown ;  the  weather  very  warm, 
and  the  people  dull.  I  administered  the  sacrament,  and 
rode  away  to  Cooper's  Ferry,  where  we  left  our  horses 
and  crossed  to  the  city  (Philadelphia)  ;  here  I  found 
Brother  Whatcoat,  with  whom  I  took  sweet  counsel. 

Oct.  20.  I  Avas  led  to  treat  on  the  sufferings  of  God's 
jx'ople,  as  entirely  distinct  from  those  they  endure  in 
common  with  other  men,  and  certainly  unavoidable  by 
all  who  are  really  alive  to  God.  I  found  it  necessary  to 
change  some  official  men  ;  and  to  take  proper  steps  in 


250  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1786 

preparing  to  defray  our  church  debt,  which  is  now 
£500.  I  gave  them  a  sermon  on  "By  this  shall  all  men 
know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to 
another." 

Oct.  29.  I  had  many  to  hear  at  Dover,  and  had  power 
and  liberty  in  speaking  on  Gal.  i.  5 ;  we  also  had  a  good 
sacramental  time.  In  the  afternoon  I  spoke  on  the  latter 
part  of  my  text — how  and  what  it  is  to  suffer  according 
to  the  will  of  God.  Thence  to  Thomas  White's,  where  I 
was  closely  employed.- 

Nov.  19.  I  rode  about  twenty  miles  through  the  rain 
to  Garrettson  Chapel,  where  about  fifty  whites  and  as 
many  blacks  met  me,  to  whom  I  preached  with  liberty. 

Visits  Death  Prisoners 

Nov.  21.  Preached  at  Snow  Hill  to  about  one  hun- 
dred people.  Here  I  visited  some  prisoners  under  sen- 
tence of  death ;  they  were  sunk  down  with  fear  and 
horror. 

Nov.  27.  I  rode  thirty  miles  to  Lewistown,  very  sick. 
I  preached  at  Shankland's,  and  the  people  were  serious, 
but  I  was  compelled  to  cease  from  speaking  by  a  violent 
pain  in  my  head,  accompanied  by  a  fever. 

Dec.  4.  I  rode  to  the  bay  side  through  snow  and  hail, 
and  met  about  one  hundred  people ;  this  we  owe  to  the 
revival  of  religion  among  them.  Our  return  thence  was 
through  heavy  roads. 

Dec.  5.  I  had  a  few  people  at  Bolingbroke,  and  spent 
the  evening  with  Colonel  Burckhead,  who  wants  to  know 
the  Lord ;  he  opened  his  mind  to  me  with  great  freedom 
and  tenderness.  Brother  White  says  that  five  hundred 
souls  have  joined  society  in  this  circuit  (Talbot)  this 
year;  that  half  that  number  profess  to  have  found  the 
Lord  ;  and  more  than  one  hundred  to  have  obtained  sanc- 
tification:  good  news  this,  if  true.  At  Barratt's  Chapel 
there  was  some  move  during  the  course  of  the  quarterly 


1786]       ADMINISTERS  THE  SACRAMENT  251 

ir.ceting,  especially  at  the  love  feast.  I  rode  in  the  even- 
ing to  Dover,  and  preached  on,  "So  is  he  that  layeth  up 
treasure  for  himself,  and  is  not  rich  toward  God." 

Dec.  17.     T  jireached  and  administered  the  sacrament 

K    MINUTES     ^ 

I;    Of  SEVERAI,  CONVERSATIONS 

I  *.-  B  ETWEE  It 

The  Rkv.  T  fi  O  M  A  S    COKE,   ll.    d. 
■•The  R:  a  N  C  I  S    a  S  B  U  R  Y 

AND   OTHERS, 

A  C  (^  N  F  E  R  E  N  C  E,  I;EGu^f 

;-I\fARYLANri, 
:iAY,  THE  2-/t''.'.  OK  DeCEMRER, 

IN  THE  Year  1734., 

CoMr'osi>;G   A  FORM    of  DISCIPLINE 

FOR.  THE  Ministers,  Preachers  a>>.. 

OTHER  Members  of  the  Mztko'-i  .t 

Efi.scop.4l  Church  in 

A     M     E     P.     T     C     A. 


P  H  I  L  A  D   ^'   '    "  "i  r  J. 

v31  REST,  the  Corner  ofioURrH-STRKEX. 

TITLE-PAGE   OF   THE    FIRST   EDITION    OF   THE   DISCIPLINE. 


252  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1787 

in  Newtown.  They  have  a  comfortable  house  for  wor- 
ship here,  especially  in  the  winter.  Came  to  Worton 
Chapel,  and  had  some  life  in  speaking  to  a  few  people. 
We  waited  at  the  widow  Frisby's  for  a  boat  to  cross  the 
Chesapeake  Bay ;  but  none  was  to  be  had.  We  rode 
round  the  head  of  Elk  River,  and  crossed  the  Susque- 
hanna ;  we  came  in,  after  riding  that  evening  in  the  rain 
and  snow,  with  the  wind  in  our  faces,  about  twenty 
miles,  or  perhaps  more. 

BtJsiness  of  the  Book  Concern 

Dec.  22.  Went  to  Baltimore,  where  I  was  in  great 
haste  to  settle  the  business  of  the  Book  Concern,  and  of 
the  college. 

Dec.  2^.  We  called  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  formed 
our  constitution,  and  elected  new  members.  I  preached 
twice  on  the  Sabbath,  and  ordained  Woolman  Hickson 
and  Joseph  Cromwell  to  the  eldership.  I  met  the  trustees 
and  adjusted  the  accounts.  We  find  we  have  expended 
upward  of  i2,ooo ;  we  agreed  to  finish  two  rooms,  and 
to  send  for  Mr.  Heath  for  our  president. 

Jan.  I,  1787.  Preached  at  Brother  Moss's  on  2  Chron. 
15.  12,  13,  on  the  people's  entering  into  covenant  with 
God. 

Jan.  2.  We  rode  near  fifty  miles  on  our  way  to  West- 
moreland; next  day,  by  hard  riding,  we  came  to  Pope's, 
in  Westmoreland ;  but  I  have  not  been  more  weary  many 
times  in  my  life. 

Jan.  14.  We  had  a  crowd  at  the  Presbyterian  meet- 
inghouse in  Lancaster,  to  whom  I  delivered  a  very  rough 
discourse;  it  was  a  close  and  searching  time,  and  we  had 
many  communicants,  both  white  and  colored. 

Jan.  17.  I  had  a  crowd  of  careless  sinners  at  Mrs. 
Ball's,  who  is  a  famous  heroine  for  Christ.  A  lady  came 
by  craft  and  took  her  from  her  own  house,  and  with 
tears,  threats,  and  entreaties,  urged  her  to  desist  from 


1787]        THROUGH  THE  GREAT  SWAMP  253 

receiving  the  preachers,  and  Methodist  preaching;  but 
all  in  vain.  She  had  felt  the  sting  of  death  some  years 
before,  and  was  a  most  disconsolate  soul ;  having  now 
found  the  way,  she  would  not  depart  therefrom. 

Jan.  30.  We  held  a  quarterly  meeting  at  Craney 
Island ;  the  weather  prevented  many  from  attending.  I 
was  blessed  in  the  company  of  the  preachers. 

Jan.  31.  I  enlarged  on,  "What  shall  the  end  be  of 
them  that  obey  not  the  gospel  of  God?"  (i  Pet.  4.  17.) 
I  observed  to  them  that  the  gospel  had  once  been  taken 
away  from  them,  and  that  they  ought  to  lay  it  seriously 
to  heart,  lest  it  should  be  the  case  again.  We  had  some 
cjuickening  in  the  sacrament  and  at  the  love  feast. 
Thence  I  went  through  Portsmouth,  and  preached  on, 
"Ye  are  now  returned  unto  the  shepherd  and  bishop  of 
your  souls." 

Feb.  3.  Brother  Poythress  frightened  me  with  the 
idea  of  the  Great  Swamp,  the  east  end  of  the  Dismal ; 
but  I  could  not  consent  to  ride  sixty  miles  round ;  so  we 
ventured  through,  and  neither  we  nor  our  horses  re- 
received  any  injury.    Praise  the  Lord! 

Asbury's  Favorite  Text 

Feb.  13.  At  the  desire  of  several  of  the  brethren  I 
preached  at  Washington,  where  many  collected  in  the 
courthouse,  whom  I  addressed  on  my  favorite  text, 
I  Tim.  I.  15:  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of 
all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners;  of  whom  I  am  chief." 

Feb.  22.  We  set  off  for  Newbern.  Stopped  at  Kemp's 
Ferry,  kept  by  Curtis,  where  we  were  kindly  entertained 
gratis. 

Feb.  27.  It  was  rather  a  dry  time  at  the  love  feast  and 
sacrament.  There  was  some  life  and  melting  while  I 
enforced.  "Look  unto  me,  and  be  ye  saved,  all  the  ends  of 
the  earth."     We  then  rode  to  H 's  on  Island  Creek. 


254  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1787 

I  went  alone  into  the  woods,  and  had  sweet  converse 
with  God.  At  night  we  were  poorly  provided  against 
the  weather ;  the  house  was  unfinished ;  and,  to  make 
matters  worse,  a  horse  kicked  the  door  open,  and  I  took 
a  cold,  and  had  the  toothache,  with  a  high  fever. 

Mar.  I.  I  had  more  hearers,  and  they  were  more  at- 
tentive than  I  expected ;  I  trust  it  was  a  profitable  time. 
Rode  to  Brother  Johnson's ;  without  the  labor  of  slaves 
he  manages  to  have  abundance  for  man  and  beast. 

Mar.  6.  My  horse  is  stiff,  and  almost  foundered,  and 
there  is  an  appearance  of  a  swelling  on  his  head.  I  have 
always  had  hard  struggles  to  get  to  Charleston. 

Mar.  15.  We  arrived  at  Charleston,  and  met  Dr. 
Coke.  Here  we  have  already  a  spacious  house  prepared 
for  us,  and  the  congregations  are  crowded  and  solemn. 

Mar.  25.  I  enlarged  on,  "I  had  rather  be  a  doorkeeper 
in  the  house  of  my  God,  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of 
wickedness;"  at  night  again  on  Isa.  45.  22.  We  held  our 
Conference  in  this  city. 

Mar.  27.    We  exchanged  sentiments  on  matters  freely. 

Mar.  28.  The  doctor  treated  on  the  qualifications  and 
duties  of  a  deacon. 

Mar.  29.     Our  Conference  ended. 

Apr.  7.  During  this  last  week  I  have  ridden  about 
three  hundred  miles,  and  have  preached  only  about  half 
the  time.  O  may  the  Lord  seal  and  water  his  own  Word, 
that  all  this  toil  of  man  and  beast  be  not  in  vain ! 

Apr.  19.  Our  Conference  began  at  William  White's. 
We  had  much  preaching,  morning,  noon,  and  night,  and 
some  souls  were  converted  to  God. 

Apr.  21.  I  gave  them  a  discourse  on  Jer.  3.  15:  "And 
I  will  give  you  pastors  according  to  mine  heart." 

Apr.  22.  The  doctor  spoke  on  the  qualifications  of  a 
deacon ;  and  I  gave  them  a  charge.  Some  said  there 
were  three  thousand  people  to  hear ;  it  was  a  solemn, 
weighty  time. 


1787]  BISHOP  COKE'S  AGREEMENT  255 

Ai'R.  23.  We  called  at  llanipden  and  Sidney  College, 
in  Prince  Edward ;  the  outside  has  an  unwieldy,  uncom- 
mon appearance,  for  a  seminary  of  learning;  what  the 
inside  is,  T  know  not.  The  president,  Mr.  L  Smith,  is  a 
discreet  man,  who  conducts  himself  well. 

Prays  in  Homes 

Apr.  26.  Went  onward  to  the  North.  W'e  have  made 
it  a  ]ioint  to  pray  in  the  families  where  we  lodge,  whether 
puhlic  or  private,  and  generally  where  we  stop  for  re- 
freshment. 

May  1-6.  We  had  some  warm  and  close  debates  in 
Conference,  but  all  ended  in  love  and  peace.  After  much 
fatigue  and  trouble,  our  Conference  ended  on  the  sixth 
of  May.  We  went  forward  to  Perry  Hall.  Thence  we 
went  to  Cokesbury ;  drew  a  deed  for  the  conveyance  of 
the  property  of  the  college,  and  settled  our  temporalities. 

Three  Conferences  were  held  this  year:  one  in  Salisbury, 
North  Carolina,  March  17  ;  another  at  Rough  Creek  Church,  Vir- 
ginia, April  ig,  and  the  third  here  in  Baltimore.  Dr.  Coke  had 
arrived  from  England  in  time  to  attend  the  first  one,  and  had 
been  warmly  welcomed.  At  Baltimore  he  found  some  dis- 
satisfaction, because  he  had,  while  in  Europe,  ventured  to 
alter  the  time  and  place  for  the  Conference  after  these  had 
been  fixed  by  the  Conference.  In  order  to  quiet  the  opposi- 
tion and  to  guard  against  any  irritation  or  misapprehensions 
in  the  future,  he  presented  to  the  Conference  the  following 
certificate:  "I  do  solemnly  engage  by  this  instrument  that 
I  never  will,  by  virtue  of  my  office,  as  superintendent  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  during  my  absence  from  the 
United  States  of  America,  exercise  any  government  whatever 
in  said  Methodist  Church  during  my  absence  from  the  United 
States.  And  I  do  also  engage,  that  I  will  exercise  no  priv- 
ilege in  the  said  church  when  present  in  the  United  States, 
except  that  of  ordaining  according  to  the  regulations  and 
laws  already  existing  or  hereafter  to  be  made  in  said  church, 
and  that  of  presiding  when  present  in  Conference,  and  lastly 
that  of  traveling  at  large."  The  Conference  was  vigilant  in 
the  matter  of  its  rights. 

May  II.  We  reached  Philadelphia,  where  the  doctor 
preached  that  and  the  following  evening. 


256  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1787 

May  16.  Arrived  in  New  York  and  rested.  On  Fri- 
day, Saturday,  Sunday,  and  Monday  the  doctor  preached 
with  great  energy  and  acceptance. 

May  22.  After  long  silence  I  preached  on,  "For 
Zion's  sake  will  I  not  hold  my  peace,  and  for  Jerusalem's 
sake  I  will  not  rest."  Rode  twenty  miles  on  Long  Island, 
to  Hempstead  Harbor,  and  preached  with  some  liberty 
in  the  evening.  I  am  now  out  of  the  city,  and  have  time 
to  reflect. 

Calls  on  an  Old  Friend 

May  26.  I  called  to  see  my  old  friend  and  assistant, 
James  Glaisbrook,  who  was  the  first  preacher  I  traveled 
with  upon  a  regular  appointment  in  England.  He  is 
now  a  Presbyterian  minister ;  much  changed  in  his  out- 
ward man,  but  I  believe  his  sentiments  are  much  the  same 
as  when  I  first  knew  him. 

May  28.  Came  to  New  York.  Preached  at  night  on, 
"They  that  are  after  the  flesh  do  mind  the  things  of  the 
flesh,  but  they  that  are  after  the  Spirit,  the  things  of  the 
Spirit."  I  found  it  necessary  to  stop  Brother  Hickson 
from  going  to  Nova  Scotia. 

Woolman  Hickson  was  a  man  of  brilliant  genius  and  fine 
enthusiasm.  He  purposed  in  his  zeal  going  to  Nova  Scotia, 
but  Asbury  found  him  in  feeble  health  and  dissuaded  him. 
He  died  of  consumption  some  time  during  the  year. 

May  29.  I  delivered  a  close  and  awful  discourse  on, 
"They  shall  come  from  the  east  and  west,  and  shall  sit 
down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob,"  etc.:  i.  A 
scriptural  view  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  2.  The  sub- 
jects or  citizens  thereof;  3.  Sit  down  with  Abraham, 
famous  for  faith;  Isaac,  for  justice,  truth,  meditation, 
and  walking  with  God;  and  Jacob,  mighty  in  prayer.  I 
was  in  prayer  until  near  midnight. 

June  3.  I  had  a  gracious  time  on  2  Cor.  4.  1-4. 
Ordained  Ezekiel  Cooper  a  deacon. 


I7S7] 


EZEKIEL  COOPER 


257 


Cooper  became  one  of  the  conspicuous  leaders  of  American 
Methodism.  He  was  a  companion  and  fellow  laborer  with 
Lee  in  New  England;  subsequently  toiled  in  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  and  other  important  fields,  and  on  the 
death  of    Dickins  in    1798   was  appointed  as  book  agent,   in 


REV.    EZEKIEL    COOPER. 


which  relation  he  continued  for  ten  years.  At  the  request  of 
the  Conference  he  preached  the  funeral  sermon  on  the  death 
of  Asbury,  in  Saint  George's  Church,  Philadelphia.  It  was  to 
Cooper  that  "Wesley  addressed  the  last  letter  which  he  wrote 
to  America.  He  died  in  1847,  at  the  time  of  his  death  the 
oldest  Methodist  preacher  in  the  world. 


258  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1787 

June  6.  Met  leaders  and  trustees,  and  after  some  ex- 
planation settled  matters  relative  to  singing  in  public 
worship.  I  preached  at  the  poorhouse  on,  "Whosoever 
shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved."  I 
keep  myself  busy  in  visiting  the  families  of  the  society, 
or  the  sick,  or  meeting  class,  if  some  other  business  does 
not  call  me. 

June  10.  I  left  the  city  in  great  union  with  the  Lord 
and  with  the  church.  Aly  soul  is  variously  exercised ;  I 
want  the  country  air,  and  to  live  more  in  the  spirit  and 
solitude  of  prayer.  Came  to  East  Chester  and  preached 
in  the  shell  of  the  new  church  on,  "To-day  if  ye  will  hear 
his  voice,  Harden  not  your  heart ;"  the  power  of  God  was 
felt.  Came  to  the  widow  Bartoe's,  where  I  lay  sick  fifteen 
years  ago,  and  was  treated  with  the  greatest  tenderness. 

June  12.  I  found  it  the  same  at  New  Rochelle  town 
as  in  time  past;  will  it  always  be  so?  If  there  is  no 
change  I  shall  trouble  them  no  more. 

June  15.  I  preached  to  a  listening  multitude  at  Peeks- 
kill,  and  was  alarming  and  close  on,  "By  grace  are  ye 
saved  through  faith."  I  thought  there  were  no  people 
here  of  spiritual  understanding;  but  I  was  informed,  to 
my  comfort,  that  a  number  of  simple-hearted  people  had 
formed  themselves  into  a  society  for  prayer;  perhaps 
these  will  be  some  of  the  first  fruits  in  this  place. 

Along  the  Hudson  Valley 

June  16.  Rode  over  the  mountains,  and  was  gratified 
with  the  sight  of  a  remarkable  recess  for  the  Americans 
during  the  last  war.  The  names  of  Andre  and  Arnold, 
with  which  misfortune  and  treachery  are  so  unhappily 
and  intimately  blended,  will  give  celebrity  to  West  Point, 
had  it  been  less  deserving  of  notice  than  its  wonderful 
appearance  really  makes  it.  It  is  commanded  by  moun- 
tains rising  behind,  and  appears  to  be  impregnable. 
There  are  blockhouses ,  on  the   east ;   and  on  the   west. 


17S7]  PREACHES  IN  THE  WOODS  259 

stores,  barracks,  and  fortifications.  From  West  Point 
we  crossed  a  high  mountain,  and  came  to  Xewburgh. 

June  17.  In  the  love  feast,  sacrament,  and  pubhc  ex- 
ercises we  were  employed  nearly  seven  hours ;  there  was 
some  life  in  the  love  feast,  bt:t  the  congregation  appeared 
very  little  moved  under  preaching. 

June  24.  I  preached  in  the  woods  to  nearly  a  thou- 
sand people.  I  was  much  oppressed  by  a  cold,  and  felt 
very  heavy  in  body  and  soul.  Like  Jonah,  I  went  and  sat 
down  alone.  I  had  some  gracious  feelings  in  the  sacra- 
ment ;  others  also  felt  the  quickening  power  of  God.  I 
baptized  a  number  of  infants  and  adults,  by  sprinkling 
and  by  immersion.  I  felt  my  body  weary  in,  but  my 
spirit  not  of,  the  work  of  God. 

Vasey  Makes  Trottble 

June  28.  Came  to  Philadelphia.  Here  I  found 
Thomas  \'asey  had  scattered  firebrands,  and  thrown  dirt 
to  bespatter  us. 

June  29-30.  Taken  up  in  writing  letters,  packing  up 
books,  and  begging  for  the  college. 

July  13.  We  rode  to  Hagerstown,  and  found  it  a 
journey  of  about  fifty  miles ;  we  and  our  horses  were 
weary  enough.  I  was  sorry  to  hear  that  the  people  came 
twice  to  hear  me  last  year,  and  the  lameness  of  my  horse 
caused  me  to  disappoint  them. 

July  14.  At  five  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  courthouse 
was  opened ;  a  few  of  the  great  and  many  of  the  poor 
attended,  to  whom  I  spoke  with  divine  assistance.  I 
find  Thomas  Vasey  has  misrepresented  us  as  having 
cast  ofif  Mr.  Wesley,  making  this  a  plea  for  his  reordi- 
nation. 

July  16.  We  reached  the  Springs  about  seven  o'clock, 
I  preached  the  two  following  days  with  some  satisfac- 
tion. By  advancing  £9  for  nails  and  planks  I  engaged 
Brother  Eaton  to  have  our  chapel  covered  in  ten  days. 


26o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1787 

July  29.  At  Jones's,  all  death !  death !  death !  My 
mind  was  devoted  to  God.  I  administered  the  sacrament, 
but  could  find  no  openings.  Rode  to  Old  Town.  Six 
years  ago  I  preached  in  this  place,  when  there  was 
scarcely  a  soul  that  knew  anything  of  God ;  now  there 
are  sixty  in  membership,  many  of  whom  are  happy  in 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  We  held  a  love  feast,  and 
had  a  quickening  time. 

Aug.  6.  I  began  my  lecture  on  the  Prophecies  by 
Bishop  Newton,  and  had  more  hearers  than  I  expected. 
I  forbear  reading  on  account  of  my  eyes,  lest  I  should 
not  be  able  to  read  in  public. 

Aug.  7-8.  Had  very  few  to  hear,  so  I  gave  them 
up ;  everything  that  is  good  is  in  low  estimation  at  this 
place.  I  will  return  to  my  own  studies;  if  the  peo- 
ple are  determined  to  go  to  hell,  I  am  clear  of  their 
blood. 

Aug.  26.  I  preached  on,  "How  beautiful  upon  the 
mountains  are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tid- 
ings." It  was  a  solemn  time ;  my  soul  was  stayed  upon 
God.  We  had  a  melting  sacrament  and  love  feast,  and 
many  spoke.  The  devil  is  angry,  and  so  are  his  children. 
Brother  Whatcoat  spoke  at  the  steps,  and  it  was  with 
difficulty  the  people  kept  themselves  within  decent 
bounds  of  respect. 

Vasey  Apologizes 

Sept.  i.  I  set  out  in  the  rain,  and  came  to  the  widow 
Stroud's,  where  I  met  with  Thomas  Vasey,  who  made 
some  acknowledgments  for  wdiat  he  had  said  in  the  heat 
of  his  zeal  at  Philadelphia  and  at  Bath. 

Sept.  9.  Preached  in  the  morning — my  text,  "Thou 
art  fairer  than  the  children  of  men ;"  in  the  afternoon  at 
Mr.  Otterbein's  church;  and  at  night  on,  "They  shall 
come  from  the  east  and  the  west,"  etc.  Large  crowds 
attended ;  I  was  very  much  straitened  in  speaking. 


1787]         VISITS  COKESBURY  COLLEGE  261 

Sept.  15.  This  has  been  a  week  of  haste  and  business. 
Wednesday  I  went  to  Perry  Hall ;  thence  to  Cokesbury, 
fixed  the  price  of  board,  and  the  time  for  opening  the 
college.  On  Friday  I  returned  to  Baltimore.  In  the 
midst  of  business  my  mind  is  calm. 

Sept.  19.  I  had  a  liberal  opening  at  Wilson's  on, 
"Whosoever  shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall 
be  saved."  Thence  I  hastened  to  the  Fork  church,  and 
preached  on  Cant.  3.  1-6.  I  lamented  the  gayety  of  the 
children  of  Methodists ;  but  yet  they  do  not  appear  to  be 
so  full  of  enmity  against  God  and  his  people  as  other 
children.  I  hastened  to  Cokesbury,  it  being  the  examina- 
tion ;  some  gentlemen  and  some  triflers  were  present. 

Arrives  in  Philadelphia 

Sept.  25.  I  attended  at  Chester ;  and  next  day  came 
to  Philadelphia.  I  had  liberty  in  speaking  on  Cant. 
5.  6-10. 

Oct.  3.  I  met  the  people,  and  explained  the  nature 
and  design  of  the  college. 

Oct.  14.  I  read  prayers,  and  preached  on  2  Tim. 
3.  10,  and  solemnly  set  apart  Jacob  Brush  and  Ira  Ellis 
for  the  office  of  deacon;  I  trust  it  was  a  profitable  time. 
I  spent  two  days  at  Thomas  White's. 

Oct.  23.  I  had  a  good  time  at  quarterly  meeting,  at 
the  Sound  Church ;  thence,  through  a  barren,  sandy 
country,  we  came  to  Evans's  Church,  where  we  had  a 
good  and  gracious  time,  more  so  than  I  have  felt  for 
some  time.  From  Evans's  we  rode  to  the  beach,  and 
gratified  our  curiosity  with  the  sight  of  the  raging,  roar- 
ing sea. 

Oct.  24.  I  spoke  closely  upon  the  discipline  of  the 
church:  my  subject,  *'A11  scripture  is  given  by  inspira- 
tion of  God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,"  etc.  After 
meeting  we  had  a  very  long  ride  to  Brother  Bowen's.  In 
the  midst  of  many  trials  I  am  kept. 


262 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1787 


Oct.  29.  There  were  life  and  power  among  the  peo- 
ple in  the  sacrament  and  love  feast.  I  was  greatly  com- 
forted to  find  the  Lord  had  greatly  blessed  the  labors  of 

Brother  S ,  and  that  a  revival  had  taken  place  all 

round  the  circuit.  Li  the  evening  I  rode  to  Burton's,  in 
Virginia.  The  former  inhabitants  have  gone  to  the  dust. 
Their  records  are  written  in  the  heaven  of  heavens. 


COKESBURY    CHAPEL    AND    SITE    OF     COKESBURY 
ABINGDON,    MARYLAND,    I9OO. 


COLLEGE, 


It  seemed  as  if  I  was  let  into  heaven  while  I  enlarged 
on,  "Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  be- 
stowed upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  of 
God."  We  have  twenty  miles,  and  sometimes  more,  a 
day  to  travel ;  but  we  have  fine  roads,  kind  friends,  and 
good  entertainment.    What  more  could  we  ask? 


1787]       COKESBURY  OPENS  ITS  DOORS  263 

Dec.  6.  We  opened  our  college,  and  admitted  twenty- 
five  students.  I  preached  on,  "Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  do 
good."  On  the  Sabbath  I  spoke  on,  "O  thou  man  of 
God,  there  is  death  in  the  pot ;"  and  on  Monday,  "They 
are  the  seed  of  the  blessed  of  the  Lord,  and  their  off- 
spring with  them."  From  Cokesbury  I  came  to  Balti- 
more, where  I  was  closely  employed,  and  much  in  haste 
about  temporal  concerns. 

Dec.  20.  We  must  now  direct  our  course  for  Lancas- 
ter, Virginia,  through  a  barren  route  of  sixty  miles. 
This  is  the  only  uncultivated  part  of  Maryland ;  and  God 
will  surely  visit  these  people,  and  bless  them  in  his  own 
time,  if  they  hear  his  voice. 

Reads  the  Writings  of  a  High  Chtirchman 

Dec.  22.  Read  the  Apostolic  Canons,  published  by 
Johnson — curious  enough.  He  is  a  violent  Churchman, 
and  appears  to  have  little  charity  for  the  Presbyterians, 
upon  whom  he  is  unmercifully  severe. 

Dec.  24.  Monday,  at  Hutt's,  it  was  nearly  the  same 
both  in  preaching  and  sacrament.  In  the  evening,  at 
Brother  Cannon's,  the  Lord  powerfully  broke  into  my 
soul,  and  the  cloud  disappeared. 

Dec.  25.  Last  night  while  sleeping  I  dreamed  I  was 
praying  for  sanctification,  and  God  very  sensibly  filled 
me  with  love,  and  I  waked  shouting,  "Glory,  glory  to 
God !"  My  soul  was  all  in  a  flame.  I  had  never  felt  so 
much  of  God  in  my  life ;  and  so  I  continued.  This  was 
on  Christmas  Day — a  great  day  to  me.  I  rode  to  the 
widow  Wollord's,  and  preached  on,  "For  this  purpose 
the  Son  of  God  was  manifested,  that  he  might  destroy 
the  works  of  the  devil."  During  the  last  five  days  we 
have  ridden  one  hundred  and  forty  miles. 

Dec.  29-30.  Held  quarterly  meeting  at  Lancaster 
meetinghouse.  There  was  a  large  gathering,  and  some 
life  on  the  first  day.     On  Sunday  there  was  much  snow. 


264  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1788 

and  only  about  three  hundred  people  attended.     I  or- 
dained E.  Ellis  a  deacoH. 

Jan.  I,  1788.  Preached  at  the  widow  Ball's,  on 
Psa.  90.  12. 

A  Great  Revival 

Jan,  8.  We  came  to  James  River ;  the  ice  was  in  the 
way,  yet  we  pushed  through  safely  to  the  opposite  shore, 
and  arrived  at  Moreing's  just  as  the  quarterly  meeting 
ended ;  nevertheless,  we  too  had  a  meeting,  and  the  cry 
of  "Glory !"  was  heard  in  great  life.  God  is  among  these 
people.  Brother  Cox  thinks  that  not  less  than  fourteen 
lumdred,  white  and  black,  have  been  converted  in  Sussex 
Circuit  the  past  year ;  and  Brother  Easter  thinks  there 
are  still  more  in  Brunswick  Circuit. 

This  revival  far  exceeded  that  of  1776  even,  which  spread 
extensively  over  this  same  section,  and  which  up  to  that  time 
was  the  most  remarkable  awakening  in  America  under  the 
preaching  of  Methodist  itinerants.  Jesse  Lee,  in  his  account 
of  this  revival  of  1787,  says:  "It  was  common  to  hear  of  souls 
being  brought  to  God  while  at  work  in  their  houses  or  in  their 
fields.  It  was  often  the  case  that  the  people  in  their  corn- 
fields, white  people,  or  black,  sometimes  both  together,  would 
begin  to  sing,  and  being  affected  would  begin  to  pray,  and 
others  would  join  with  them,  and  they  would  continue  their 
cries  till  some  of  them  would  find  peace  to  their  souls.  Some 
account  of  this  work  was  published  in  the  newspapers  at  dif- 
ferent times,  and  by  this  means  spread  through  all  the  United 
States." 

Feb.  3.  I  preached  on  Heb.  6.  11,  12.  I  rode  that 
evening  to  friend  Freeman's,  whom  I  had  not  visited  for 
five  years  past ;  I  found  him  still  an  honest  Baptist,  and 
we  were  kindly  entertained.  Rode  to  Ross's,  in  Martin's 
County.  The  rise  of  the  waters  of  the  Roanoke  River 
had  inundated  the  lowlands  more  than  a  mile  from  the 
banks,  and  made  the  ferry  altogether  a  wonderful  sight. 
We  came  to  our  lodging  about  nine  o'clock,  and  found  a 
plain,  kind-hearted  host.     I  preached  a  funeral  sermon ; 


1788]  RUINS  OF  A  CHURCH  265 

my  text,  "The  stini;-  of  death  is  sin."  I  spoke  on  the 
nature  of  the  law ;  of  sin — its  guilt,  power,  nature,  and 
the  victory  through  Christ. 

Mar.  17.  I  had  about  five  hundred  hearers  at  Samson 
Courthouse,  to  whom  I  enlarged  on  Peter's  denial  of  his 
Master:  i.  He  was  self-confident;  2.  Followed  afar  ofif; 
3.  Mixed  with  the  wicked ;  4.  Denied  his  discipleship,  and 
then  his  Lord. 

Mar.  23.  I  attended  the  quarterly  meeting  at  the 
Beauty  Spot;  the  weather  was  cold,  but  I  had  great  as- 
sistance on  Isa.  35.  1-6. 

JMar.  5.  I  passed  Dorchester,  where  there  are  the 
remains  of  what  appears  to  have  once  been  a  considerable 
town ;  there  are  the  ruins  of  an  elegant  church,  and  the 
vestiges  of  several  well-built  houses.  We  saw  a  num- 
ber of  good  dwellings,  and  large  plantations  on  the 
road  leading  down  Ashley  River.  In  the  evening  we 
reached  the  city  of  Charleston,  having  ridden  about 
fifty  miles. 

Mar.  9.  Brother  Ellis  preached  in  the  morning.  In 
the  evening  I  felt  some  liberty  in  enlarging  on  Rom. 
10.  1-3.  "Brethren,  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God 
for  Israel  is  that  they  might  be  saved,"  etc. 

Riotous  Opposition 

Mar.  14.  Our  Conference  began,  and  we  had  a  very 
free,  open  time.  It  was  a  gracious  season,  both  in  the 
congregation  and  in  the  love  feast.  While  another  was 
speaking  in  the  morning  to  a  very  crowded  house,  and 
many  outside,  a  man  made  a  riot  at  the  door;  an  alarm 
at  once  took  place ;  the  ladies  leaped  out  at  the  windows 
of  the  church,  and  a  dreadful  confusion  ensued.  Again, 
while  I  was  speaking  at  night,  a  stone  was  thrown 
against  the  north  side  of  the  church ;  then  another  on 
the  south ;  a  third  came  through  the  pulpit  window,  and 
struck  near  me  inside  the  pulpit.     I,  however,  continued 


266  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1788 

to  speak  on;  my  subject,  "How  beautiful  upon  the  moun- 
tains are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth,"  etc. 

This  was  the  first  of  seven  Conferences  held  this  year.  The 
others  were  Georgia,  April  9;  Holston,  May  19;  Amelia 
County,  Virginia,  June  17;  Uniontown,  July  22;  Baltimore, 
September  10;  Philadelphia,  September  25. 

Mar.  26.  We  rode  from  Finch's  to  Odell's  new 
church,  where  we  had  a  good  time,  while  I  enlarged  on 
Titus  2.  14,  and  administered  the  Lord's  Supper.  Thence 
to  Smith's,  thirty  miles.  After  preaching  we  had  a  night 
meeting,  that  prevented  our  getting  to  bed  until  about  • 
twelve  o'clock.  We  had  a  comfortable  cabin,  and  were 
very  well  entertained. 

Mar.  27.  I  had  but  little  freedom  on,  "The"  founda- 
tion of  God  standeth  sure."  Brothers  Mason  and  Major 
spoke  after  me.  I  went  alone  into  the  woods,  and  found 
my  soul  profitably  solitary  in  sweet  meditation  and 
prayer. 

In  Georgia 

Apr.  I.  We  crossed  the  Savannah  at  the  Forks,  and 
came  where  I  much  wanted  to  be — in  Georgia.  Never- 
theless, I  fear  I  shall  have  but  little  freedom  here. 

Apr.  2.  I  rested,  and  compiled  two  sections,  which  I 
shall  recommend  to  be  put  into  our  Form  of  Discipline, 
in  order  to  remove  from  society,  by  regular  steps,  either 
preachers  or  people  that  are  disorderly. 

Apr.  9.  Our  Conference  began  at  the  Forks  of  Broad 
River,  where  six  members  and  four  probationers  at- 
tended. Brother  Major  was  sick,  and  could  not  meet  us. 
Soon  after,  he  made  his  exit  to  his  eternal  rest. 

Apr.  io-ii.  I  felt  free,  and  preached  with  light  and 
liberty  each  day.  Many  that  had  no  religion  in  Mrginia 
have  found  it  after  their  removal  into  Georgia  and  South 
Carolina.  Here  at  least  the  seed  sprung  up,  wherever 
else  it  may  have  been  sown.     Our  little  Conference  was 


1788]  THUNDER  AND  LIGHTNING  267 

about  £()i  deficient  in  tlieir  quarterage,  nearly  one  third 
of  which  was  made  up  to  them. 

A  Mountain  Journey 

Apr.  28.  After  getting-  our  horses  shod  we  made  a 
move  for  Holston,  and  entered  upon  the  mountains ;  the 
first  of  which  I  called  steel,  the  second  stone,  and  the 
third  iron  mountain ;  they  are  rough,  and  difficult  to 
climb.  \\'e  were  spoken  to  on  our  way  by  most  awful 
thunder  and  lightning,  accompanied  by  heavy  rain.  We 
crept  for  shelter  into  a  little  dirty  house,  where  the  filth 
might  have  been  taken  from  the  floor  with  a  spade.  We 
felt  the  w^ant  of  fire,  but  could  get  little  wood  to  make  it, 
and  what  we  gathered  was  wet.  At  the  head  of  Watauga 
we  fed,  and  reached  Ward's  that  night.  Coming  to  the 
river  next  day.  we  hired  a  young  man  to  swim  over  for 
the  canoe,  in  which  we  crossed,  while  our  horses  swam 
to  the  other  shore.  The  waters  being  up,  we  were  com- 
pelled to  travel  an  old  road  over  the  mountains.  Night 
came  on — I  was  ready  to  faint  with  a  violent  headache — 
the  mountain  was  steep  on  both  sides.  I  prayed  to  the 
Lord  for  help.  Presently  a  profuse  sweat  broke  out  upon 
me,  and  my  fever  entirely  subsided.  About  nine  o'clock 
we  came  to  Grear's.  After  taking  a  little  rest  here  we 
set  out  next  morning  for  Brother  Cox's,  on  Holston 
River.  I  had  trouble  enough.  Our  route  lay  through 
the  woods,  and  my  packhorse  would  neither  follow,  lead, 
nor  drive,  so  fond  was  he  of  stopping  to  feed  on  the 
green  herbage.  I  tried  the  lead,  and  he  pulled  back.  I 
tied  his  head  up  to  prevent  his  grazing,  and  he  ran  back. 
I  was  much  fatigued,  and  my  temper  not  a  little  tried. 
Arriving  at  the  river,  I  was  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  but 
providentially  a  man  came  along  who  conducted  me 
across.  This  has  been  an  awful  journey  to  me,  and  this 
a  tiresome  day,  and  now,  after  riding  seventy-five  miles, 
I  have  thirty-five  miles  more  to  General  Russell's. 


268 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1788 


May  3.  We  came  to  General  Russell's,  a  most  kind 
family  in  deed  and  truth. 

May  20.  After  riding-  nearly  thirty  miles,  we  came  to 
JMcXight's  Chapel,  in  North  Carolina.  Here  I  preached 
on  Peter's  denial  of  Christ.     Thence  we  went  to  Hill's. 


HOME  OF  GENERAL  WILLIAM  RUSSELL,  SALTVILLE,  VIRGINIA. 
Here  Asbury  was  entertained  in  1788,  and  often  in  later  years. 

After  meeting  we  proceeded  to  the  neat  and  well-im- 
proved town  of  Salem,  making  a  journey,  besides  the 
labors  of  the  day,  of  nearly  forty  miles. 

May  25.  Preached,  and  had  a  love  feast  and  sacra- 
ment. I  then  rode  to  the  widow  Dick's ;  many  were 
waiting  here,  and  the  power  of  God  was  felt  by  some 
while  I  enlarged  on  Isa.  55.  1-3. 

May  26.  We  had  a  good  time  at  Martin's.  Leaving 
this,  on  our  way  to  Stamfield,  we  were  obliged  to  swim 


1788]  A  GRACIOUS  SEASON  269 

our  liorscs  across  Dan  River,  and  losing  our  road  made 
it  late  before  we  arrived. 

Ethiopia  Stretches  Out  Her  Hand 

June  i.  At  Clayton's  there  are  a  hundred  blacks 
joined  in  society ;  and  they  appear  to  have  real  religion 
among  them — here  Ethiopia  doth  stretch  out  her  hand 
unto  the  Lord.  1  su])pose  there  were  not  less  than  a 
thousand  souls  at  preaching. 

June  8.  We  had  a  gracious  season;  it  was  a  memor- 
able day,  and  my  soul  was  much  blessed.  After  meeting 
we  hastened  to  Petersburg,  where  I  preached  on  2  Cor. 
5.  20.  Our  elders  and  deacons  met  for  Conference ;  all 
things  were  brought  on  in  love.  The  town  folks  were 
remarkably  kind  and  attentive,  the  people  of  God  in 
much  love. 

June  13.  I  preached  a  pastoral  sermon,  under  a  large 
arbor  near  the  borders  of  the  town,  on  i  Tim.  4.  13-16, 
with  consolation.  Ordained  Henry  Ogburn  and  John 
Baldwin  deacons,  and  Edward  Morris  and  Ira  Ellis  elders. 

June  19.  Heavy  rains,  bad  roads,  straying,  be- 
wildered in  the  woods — through  all  these  I  worried  to 
Murphy's.  Great  was  the  cross  under  which  I  spoke  on 
"The  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation,"  etc.  I  had 
a  high  fever,  and  was  otherwise  distressed  in  body,  and 
ill  at  ease  in  mind.  I  was  afraid  the  medicine  I  had  made 
use  of  would  be  injurious  to  me  in  consequence  of  my 
getting  wet. 

Preaches  to  a  Whole  Settlement 

July  8.  Reached  McNeal's,  on  the  Little  Levels, 
where  almost  the  wdiole  settlement  came  together,  with 
whom  I  found  freedom  on  Matt.  11.  28-30.  Our  Brother 
Phoebus  had  to  answer  questions  until  evening. 

July  10.  We  had  to  cross  the  Alleghany  Mountain 
again,  at  a  bad  passage.     Our  course  lay  over  mountains 


270  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1788 

and  through  valleys,  and  the  mud  and  mire  was  such  as 
might  scarcely  be  expected  in  December.  We  came  to 
an  old,  forsaken  habitation  in  Tyger's  Valley.  Here  our 
horses  grazed  about,  while  we  boiled  our  meat.  Mid- 
night brought  us  up  at  Jones's,  after  riding  forty  or  per- 
haps fifty  miles.  The  old  man,  our  host,  was  kind  enough 
to  wake  us  up  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.  We  jour- 
neyed on  through  devious  lonely  wilds,  where  no  food 
might  be  found  except  what  grew  in  the  woods  or  was 
carried  with  us.  We  met  with  two  women  who  were 
going  to  see  their  friends,  and  to  attend  the  quarterly 
meeting  at  Clarksburg. 

Trying  Itinerant  Experiences 

Near   midnight   we    stopped   at   A 'e,   who   hissed 

his  dogs  at  us ;  but  the  women  were  determined  to  get 
to  quarterly  meeting,  so  we  went  in.  Our  supper  was 
tea.      Brothers   Phoebus   and   Cook  took  to   the   woods  ; 

old  gave  up  his  bed  to  the  women.     I  lay  along 

the  floor  on  a  few  deerskins  with  the  fleas.  That  night 
our  poor  horses  got  no  corn,  and  next  morning  they 
had  to  swim  across  Monongahela.  After  a  twenty 
miles'  ride  we  came  to  Clarksburg,  and  man  and  beasts 
were  so  outdone  that  it  took  us  ten  hours  to  accom- 
plish it.  I  lodged  with  Colonel  Jackson.  Our  meeting 
was  held  in  a  long,  close  room  belonging  to  the  Bap- 
tists. Our  use  of  the  house,  it  seems,  gave  offense. 
There  attended  about  seven  hundred  people,  to  whom  I 
preached  with  freedom ;  and  I  believe  the  Lord's  power 
reached  the  hearts  of  some.  After  administering  the 
sacrament  I  was  well  satisfied  to  take  my  leave.  We  rode 
thirty  miles  to  Father  Llaymond's,  after  three  o'clock, 
Sunday  afternoon,  and  made  it  nearly  eleven  before  we 
came  in.  About  midnight  we  went  to  rest,  and  rose  at 
five  o'clock  next  morning.  My  mind  has  been  severely 
tried  under  the  great  fatigue  endured  both  by  myself  and 


1788]  BOLD   ADVENTURERS  271 

my  horse.  O,  how  glad  should  1  be  of  a  plain,  clean 
plank  to  lie  on,  as  preferable  to  most  of  the  beds ;  and 
where  the  beds  are  in  a  bad  state  the  floors  are  worse. 
The  gnats  are  almost  as  troublesome  here  as  the  mos- 
quitoes in  the  lowlands  of  the  seaboard.  This  country 
will  require  much  work  to  make  it  tolerable.  The  people 
are,  many  of  them,  of  the  boldest  cast  of  adventurers, 
and  with  some  the  decencies  of  civilized  society  are 
scarcely  regarded,  two  instances  of  which  I  myself  wit- 
nessed. The  great  landholders  who  are  industrious  will 
soon  show  the  effects  of  the  aristocracy  of  wealth,  by 
lording  it  over  their  poorer  neighbors,  and  by  securing 
to  themselves  all  the  offices  of  profit  or  honor.  On  the 
one  hand,  savage  warfare  teaches  them  to  be  cruel ;  and 
on  the  other,  the  preaching  of  Antinomians  poisons  them 
with  error  in  doctrine.  Good  moralists  they  are  not,  and 
good  Christians  they  cannot  be,  unless  they  are  better 
taught. 

Conference  at  Wilmington 

Aug.  22.  Our  Conference  began  at  Uniontown.  We 
felt  great  peace  while  together,  and  our  counsels  were 
marked  by  love  and  prudence.  We  had  seven  members 
of  Conference  and  five  probationers.  1  preached  on 
I  Pet.  5.  7 ;  and  Brother  Whatcoat  gave  us  an  excellent 
discourse  on,  "O  man  of  God,  flee  these  things."  After 
sitting  four  days  we  concluded  our  Conference. 

Aug.  28.  Came  over  the  mountains  along  very  bad 
roads.  Brother  Whatcoat  and  myself  were  both  sick. 
We  stopped  at  Simpkins's,  and  were  comfortably  enter- 
tained. 

Aug.  29.  Reached  Barratt's,  where  we  had  a  little 
rest  and  peace.  We  had  left  our  horses  at  Old  Town, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  but  I  thought  it  best  to 
have  them  brought  over,  and  so  it  was ;  for  that  night 
there  were  two  stolen. 


272  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1788 

Aug.  10.  Preached  at  Bath.  I  received  heavy  tidings 
from  the  college :  both  our  teachers  have  left — one  for 
incompetency,  and  the  other  to  pursue  riches  and  honors ; 
had  they  cost  us  nothing,  the  mistake  we  made  in  em- 
ploying them  might  be  the  less  regretted.  I  have  read 
one  volume  of  Church  History,  by  Mosheim,  containing 
an  account  of  the  state  of  ecclesiastical  matters  in  Ger- 
many, and  the  different  churches. 

A  Lame  Discourse 

Aug.  17.  I  attempted  to  preach  at  Bath,  on  "the 
lame  and  the  blind ;"  the  discourse  was  very  lame ;  and 
it  may  be,  I  left  my  hearers  as  I  found  them — blind. 

I  am  now  closely  engaged  in  reading,  writing,  and 
prayer.  We  have  great  rains,  and  are  obliged  to  keep 
close  house,  but  we  have  a  little  of  almost  everything  to 
improve  the  mind — the  languages,  divinity,  granm^iar,- 
history,  and  belles-lettres ;  my  great  desire  is  to  improve 
in  the  best  things. 

Sept.  10.  Our  Conference  began  in  Baltimore.  I 
chose  not  to  preach  while  my  mind  was  clogged  by  busi- 
ness with  so  many  persons,  and  on  so  many  subjects. 

Sept.  15-17.  Three  days  were  spent  at  Cokesbury  in 
examining  and  arranging  the  temporal  concerns  of  the 
college. 

Sept.  21.  I  preached  with  some  satisfaction,  morning 
and  evening,  in  Philadelphia.  On  Monday  our  Confer- 
ence began  and  held  until  Friday,  twenty-sixth. 

Sept.  29.  Rode  to  New  York.  Next  day  our  Con- 
ference began,  and  continued  until  Saturday  the  fourth 
of  October. 

Oct.  22.  I  was  very  alarming ;  seldom,  if  ever,  have  I 
felt  more  moved.  We  came  away,  and  rode  twenty-five 
miles,  having  nothing  to  eat  from  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning  till  six  at  night.  My  body  was  weak,  but  my 
soul  was  kept  in  peace.     Knowing  the  obligations  I  am 


1788]  GARRETTSON  CHxVPEL  273 

under  to  pay  money  to  several  persons  to  whom  the  col- 
lege is  indebted,  my  mind  is  much  exercised,  and  1  feel 
heavily  the  weight  of  such  responsibility. 

Nov.  I  (Virginia).  Attended  a  quarterly  meeting  at 
Garrettson  Chapel.  O  how  changed !  A  preacher  ab- 
sent nearly  nine  weeks  from  his  circuit,  failing  to  give 
proper  notice  of  the  quarterly  meeting.  Other  persua- 
sions are  less  supine ;  and  their  minister  boldly  preaches 
against  the  freedom  of  the  slaves.  Our  Brother  Everett, 
with  no  less  zeal  and  boldness,  cries  aloud  for  liberty, 
eiuancipation. 

Nov.  8.  At  Annamessex  quarterly  meeting  I  was  at 
liberty  on  Rev.  3.  20.  Again  I  preached  on,  "Fear  not, 
little  flock,"  etc.  JMost  of  our  members  in  these  parts 
have  freed  their  slaves. 

A  Preciows  Season 

Nov.  12.  We  had  a  precious  season  at  the  line  chapel 
on  Rev.  3.  18:  "I  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  gold  tried  in 
the  fire,"  etc.  After  meeting  I  rode  to  Broad  Creek.  We 
have  traveled  little  less  than  two  hundred  miles  a  week. 

Nov.  22-23.  Attended  quarterly  meeting  at  William 
Frazier's ;  there  was  some  quickening  among  the  people 
each  day.  We  crossed  Choptank  to  Bolingbroke — death ! 
death !  The  second  day  of  our  meeting  a  great  power 
went  through  the  congregation,  and  a  noble  shout  was 
heard  among  the  people. 

Nov.  29.  In  times  past  I  have  felt  some  disagreeable 
impressions  on  my  mind  about  the  college  being  burned ; 
now  I  have  heard  of  an  attempt  to  do  it ;  but  I  trust  the 
Lord  will  encamp  about  the  housQ. 

Dec.  9.  We  had  a  damp  ride  to  Cokesbury,  and  found 
it  was  even  as  it  had  been  reported  to  us :  an  attempt  had 
been  made  to  burn  the  college  by  putting  fire  into  one  of 
the  closets ;  but  some  of  the  students  made  a  timely  dis- 
covery, and  it  was  extinguished.     I  stayed  tw^o  days  and 


274 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1788 


expended  more  than  £100,  and  felt  my  spirits  tried.     I 
put  the  young  men  to  board  in  the  college.     We  have 


BISHOP   ASBURY's    episcopal   ROUND,    I788. 

some  promising  youth  among  them  for  learning,  but 
they  want  religion. 

Christmas  Day.  I  preached  in  the  open  house  at 
Fairfield's,  on  Isa.  9.  6.  I  felt  warm  in  speaking,  but 
there  was  an  ofifensive  smell  of  rum  among  the  people. 

Dec.   27.     At  the   Presbyterian   church  in   Lancaster, 


1789]  HUxNGER.  FATIGUE,  FEVER  275 

tliere  was  a  divine  stir  in  the  congregation.  Envy  and 
disputation  have  been  injurious  to  the  work  of  God  in 
these  parts.  I  found  our  opposing  the  doctrine  of  final 
perseverance  had  given  offense :  a  house  of  our  own  will 
alone  fix  us  properly. 

Jan.  I,  1789.  After  waiting  about  two  hours  the 
wind  suddenly  calmed,  and  I  crossed  Rappahannock  and 
came  to  Cheesecake. 

Jan.  13.  An  appointment  had  been  made  at  Mabry's 
Chapel,  but  Ihe  sleet  and  rain  hindered  the  people  from 
attending;  so  I  preached  at  Brother  Theweett's  to  about 
six  preachers  and  as  many  members. 

Jan.  14.  I  had  about  three  hundred  hearers  at  the 
Low  Ground  chapel :  our  brethren  shouted  while  I  en- 
larged on  Isa.  63.  I.  I  have  felt  very  solemn  for  two  or 
three  days  past,  as  m«ngli.God  would  speak  through  me 
to  the  souls  of  the  people. 

Feb.  3.  I  stopped  on  my  way  at  Dr.  King's,  and  took 
dinner,  and  had  my  horse  shod.  By  some  means  my  ap- 
pointments have  not  been  published.  Came  to  the  Green 
Ponds,  in  South  Carolina,  where  there  was  an  appoint- 
ment for  me ;  I  felt  a  little  comforted.  I  have  ridden 
about  one  hundred  and  forty  miles  in  the  last  seven  days, 
through  a  very  disagreeable  part  of  the  country  to  travel 
when  the  waters  are  high.  I  have  had  various  exercises, 
and  have  suffered  hunger,  fatigue,  and  fever,  and  have 
not  had  a  comfortable  bed  for  a  week  past. 

Fkb.  8.  Notwithstanding  the  rain,  we  had  many  to 
hear  at  Flower's.  It  was  in  due  season  that  I  was  led  out 
here  on  Peter's  denial  of  his  Master,  for  there  has  been  a 
great  falling  away,  particularly  by  drunkenness ;  this  was 
not  told  me  till  after  preaching. 

Feb.  10.  Came,  after  a  ride  of  forty  miles,  to  George- 
town, and  lectured  on  Isa.  40.  1-9. 

Feb.  13.  Rode  forty-five  miles  to  Wappataw,  and  next 
day  arrived  in  Charleston  in  sweet  peace  of  soul. 


276  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1789 

Feb.  20.  I  spoke  very  pointedly  on  Rev.  3.  20-22,  but 
the  people  are  of  small  spiritual  understanding.  Lord, 
stir  them  up !  I  was  closely  employed  in  making  my 
plan,  and  arranging  tlie  papers  for  Conference.  I  made 
out  a  register  of  all  the  preachers  on  the  continent  who 
bear  the  name  of  Methodists. 

Feb.  2.2.  Very  rainy,  but  I  had  about  a  hundred  blacks 
and  nearly  fifty  whites  to  hear  me.  I  preached  also  in 
the  afternoon,  and  at  night. 

Feb.  24.  I  set  out  for  Edisto  Circuit,  journeying  up 
the  south  side  of  Ashley  River.  Here  live  the  rich  and 
great  who  have  houses  in  the  city  and  country,  and  go 
backward  and  forward  in  their  splendid  chariots ;  the 
land,  however,  with  the  exception  of  the  rice  fields,  is 
barren,  the  weather  is  cold ;  but  my  soul  has  peace — full 
and  flowing  peace.  After  riding  thirty-six  miles  I  was 
kindly  entertained  by  Mr.  Giveham. 

Coke  Again  in  America 

Feb.  26.  Rode  to  Bruten's,  and  enjoyed  uncommon 
happiness  in  God.  Sometime  in  the  night  Dr.  Coke  came 
in ;  he  had  landed  in  Charleston  about  three  hours  after  I 
left  the  city ;  next  day  we  both  spoke  at  Ridgell's. 

Mar.  I.  We  spent  the  day  at  Chester's;  we  had  very 
few  hearers,  occasioned,  in  part,  by  a  black  man's  preach- 
ing not  far  distant. 

Mar.  2.  The  doctor  and  myself  both  preached  at 
Puckett's.  Thence  we  set  out  with  a  design  to  reach 
Treadway's,  but  were  greatly  deceived,  and  went  up  the 
road  that  leads  to  Ninety-six ;  at  last  we  thought  we  had 
gone  far  enough,  and  stopped  at  a  house  twenty-one 
miles  from  the  place  whence  we  started,  and  still  farther 
from  the  place  we  aimed  at. 

Mar.  8.     Our  Conference  began  at  Grant's. 

There  were  eleven  Conferences  this  year.  They  were  small, 
and  it  is  stated  that  having  so  many  so  near  together  gave  dis- 
satisfaction to  many  of  the  preachers. 


1789]      A  PREACHER  TO  THE  WAXSAWS         277 

Here  we  have  a  house  for  iniblic  worship;  and  one  also 
at  Merriweather's.  On  Thursday  we  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  procure  five  hundred  acres  of  land  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  school  in  the  state  of  Georgia.  Confer- 
ence being-  ended,  we  directed  our  hasty  steps  back  to 
Charleston,  calling  at  the  several  places  we  attended  on 
our  journey  hither. 

Receives  Last  Letter  from  Wesley 

Mar.  15.  We  reached  the  city,  having  ridden  two 
hundred  miles  in  about  five  days  and  two  hours.  Here  I 
received  a  bitter  pill  from  one  of  my  greatest  friends. 

He  refers  to  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wesley,  the  last  he  ever  re- 
ceived from  him — Wesley  was  86  years  old  at  this  time — in 
which  the  founder  of  Methodism  unjustly  accuses  Asbury  of 
striving  to  make  himself  great. 

Praise  the  Lord  for  my  trials  also — may  they  all  be 
sanctified ! 

Mar.  17-19.  Were  spent  in  Conference;  it  was  a  time 
of  peace  and  love.  My  mind  was  much  hurried  with 
book  and  other  temporal  concerns.  We  had  an  unkind 
attack  published  against  us  relative  to  our  slave  rules ; 
i(  was  answered  to  purpose.  I  had  not  much  doubt  who 
the  author  of  this  unworthy  work  was. 

Mar.  22.  Dr.  Coke  preached  an  ordination  sermon  in 
the  forenoon ;  and  in  the  afternoon  I  felt  lively  in  soul 
while  I  enlarged  on  Ezek.  33.  5. 

Mar.  26.  I  was  hurried  away  to  preach  a  funeral  ser- 
mon. I  have  ridden  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
and  preached  three  times  since  I  left  Charleston,  last 
Monday  morning. 

Apr.  3  (North  Carolina).  Preached  by  the  way,  and 
came  to  Randall's,  twenty  miles.  We  have  ridden  three 
hundred  miles  in  about  nine  days,  and  our  horses'  backs 
are  bruised  with  their  loads.  I  wish  to  send  an  extra 
preacher  to  the  Waxsaws,  to   preach   to   the   Catawba 


278  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1789 

Indians :  they  have  settled  among  the  whites  on  a  tract  of 
country  twelve  miles  square. 

Apr.  5.  We  had  a  move  while  I  was  speaking  on  Isa. 
^^.  14,  15.  Some  souls  were  brought  to  experience  peace 
with  God.  Here  Dr.  Coke  came  up  with  us.  We  expect 
to  continue  together  for  some  time.  We  had  a  long  ride 
to  Jones's.  I  preached  there,  and  continued  on  to  Mc- 
Knight's,  on  the  Yadkin. 

Apr.  10.  We  opened  our  Conference,  and  were 
blessed  with  peace  and  union.  Our  brethren  from  the 
westward  met  us,  and  w^e  had  weighty  matters  for  con- 
sideration before   us. 

May  3.  Was  a  great  day  to  saints  and  sinners.  God 
has  wrought  wonderfully  in  Brother  Pigman's  neighbor- 
hood. Fifty  or  sixty  souls  have  been  suddenly  and  pow- 
erfully converted  to  God.  Came  to  Baltimore,  and  had 
very  lively  meetings.  Multitudes  came  to  hear,  and 
great  cries  were  heard  among  the  people,  who  continued 
together  until  three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Many  souls 
professed  to  be  convicted,  converted,  sanctified.  On  reach- 
ing Cokesbury,  we  found  that  here  also  God  was  working 
among  the  students.  One,  however,  was  expelled.  We 
revised  our  laws,  and  settled  our  temporal  concerns. 

An  Event  of  Striking  Interest 

May  28.     Our  Conference  began  in  New  York. 

All  things  were  conducted  in  peace  and  order.  Our 
work  opens  in  New  York  State.  New  England  stretch- 
cth  out  the  hand  to  our  ministry,  and  I  trust  thousands 
will  shortly  feel  its  influence. 


At  this  Conference  an  event  of  no  little  interest  oc- 
curred, of  which  Asbury  makes  no  mention  in  his  Jour- 
nal. It  is  doubtful,  indeed,  if  either  he  or  Bishop  Coke 
realized  its  full  significance.  In  1788  the  adoption  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  had  been  declared. 


1789] 


PRESIDENT  WASHINGTON 


279 


and  Washington  was  thereupon  elected  President.     His 
inauguration  took  place  in  New  York,  April  30,  1789. 


GEORGE    WASHINGTON. 


Conference  being  in  session,  Asbury  suggested  to  it  the 
propriety  of  presenting  a  congratulatory  address  to  the 


28o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1789 

President.  The  Conference  approved  and  appointed  the 
two  bishops  to  draw  vip  the  address.  They  did  so,  pre- 
sented it  the  same  day  to  the  Conference  for  adoption, 
and  then  proceeded  with  it  to  the  President,  an  appoint- 
ment to  receive  them  having  been  arranged  by  Dickins 
and  Morrell.  The  duty  of  reading  the  address  devolved 
upon  Asbury.  The  address  and  the  reply  of  the  Presi- 
dent were  as  follows : 

Methodist  Address  to  the  President 

"To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"Sir:  We,  the  bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  humbly  beg  leave,  in  the  name  of  our  society, 
collectively,  in  these  United  States,  to  express  to  you  the 
warm  feelings  of  our  hearts,  and  our  sincere  congratula- 
tions on  your  appointment  to  the  presidentship  of  these 
states.  We  are  conscious,  from  the  signal  proofs  you 
have  already  given,  that  you  are  a  friend  of  mankind; 
and,  tmder  this  established  idea,  place  as  full  confidence 
in  your  wisdom  and  integrity  for  the  preservation  of 
those  civil  and  religious  liberties  which  have  been  trans- 
mitted to  us  by  the  providence  of  God  and  the  glorious 
Revolution  as  we  believe  ought  to  be  reposed  in  man. 

"We  have  received  the  most  grateful  satisfaction  from 
the  humble  and  entire  dependence  on  the  great  Governor 
of  the  universe  which  you  have  repeatedly  expressed, 
acknowledging  him  the  source  of  every  blessing,  and 
particularly  of  the  most  excellent  Constitution  of  these 
states,  which  is  at  present  the  admiration  of  the  world, 
and  may  in  future  become  its  great  exemplar  for 
imitation ;  and  hence  we  enjoy  a  holy  expectation  that 
you  will  always  prove  a  faithful  and  impartial  patron  of 
genuine,  vital  religion,  the  grand  end  of  our  creation 
and  present  probationary  existence.  And  we  promise 
you  our  fervent  prayers  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  God 
Almighty  may  endue  you  with  all  the  graces  and  gifts 


1789]  A  SIGNIFICANT  UTTERANCE  281 

of  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  he  may  enable  you  to  fill  up  your 
important  station  to  his  glory,  the  good  of  his  church, 
the  happiness  and  i)rosperity  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  welfare  of  mankind." 

Washington's  Reply 

"To  the  Bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America. 

"Gentlemen  :  I  return  to  you  individually,  and 
through  you  to  your  society  collectively  in  the  United 
States,  my  thanks  for  the  demonstrations  of  afifection, 
and  the  expressions  of  joy  offered  in  their  behalf,  on  my 
late  appointment.  It  shall  be  my  endeavor  to  manifest 
the  purity  of  my  inclinations  for  promoting  the  happiness 
of  mankind,  as  well  as  the  sincerity  of  my  desire  to  con- 
tribute whatever  may  be  in  my  power  toward  the  civil 
and  religious  liberties  of  the  American  people.  In  pur- 
suing this  line  of  conduct,  I  hope,  by  the  assistance  of 
Divine  Providence,  not  altogether  to  disappoint  the  con- 
fidence which  you  have  been  pleased  to  repose  in  me. 

"It  always  affords  me  satisfaction  when  I  find  a  con- 
currence of  sentiment  and  practice  between  all  conscien- 
tious men,  in  acknowledgments  of  homage  to  the  great 
Governor  of  the  universe,  and  in  professions  of  support 
to  a  just  civil  government.  After  mentioning  that  I  trust 
the  people  of  every  denomination,  who  demean  them- 
selves as  good  citizens,  will  have  occasion  to  be  convinced 
that  I  shall  always  strive  to  prove  a  faithful  and  impar- 
tial patron  of  genuine  vital  religion,  I  must  assure  you  in 
particular  that  I  take  in  the  kindest  part  the  promise  you 
make  of  presenting  your  prayers  at  the  throne  of  grace 
for  me,  and  that  I  likewise  implore  the  divine  benediction 
on  yourselves  and  your  religious  community." 


May  31.    We  had  a  gracious  season  to  preachers  and 
people,  while  I  opened  and  applied  Isa.  25.  6-8:  "And  in 


282  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1789 

this  mountain  shall  the  Lord  of  hosts  make  unto  all 
people  a  feast  of  fat  things,  a  feast  of  wines  on  the  lees, 
of  fat  things  full  of  marrow,  of  wines  on  the  lees  well 
refined,  and  he  will  destroy  in  this  mountain,"  etc. 

Coke  Sails  for  England 

June  5.  Dr.  Coke  left  us  and  went  on  board  the 
Union  for  Liverpool.  My  soul  retires  into  solitude,  and 
to  God.  This  evening  I  was  enabled  to  speak  alarmingly, 
and  felt  my  heart  much  engaged  for  about  thirty  minutes 
on  Isa.  29.  17-19. 

June  19.  I  preached  in  a  barn  on  the  North  River; 
my  hearers  were  chiefly  Low  Dutch.  Our  congregations 
are  small ;  the  craft  is  in  danger ;  we  are  therefore  not 
to  wonder  if  we  meet  with  opposition.  To  begin  at  the 
right  end  of  the  work  is  to  go  first  to  the  poor ;  these  will, 
the  rich  may  possibly,  hear  the  truth ;  there  are  among 
us  who  have  blundered  here.  I  feel  as  if  I  wanted  to 
get  across  the  river ;  I  am  pressed  in  spirit,  and  pity  our 
preachers  who  labor  here ;  it  seems  as  if  I  should  die 
among  this  people  with  exertions  and  grief. 

June  22.  Rain  and  business  prevented  most  of  the 
people  from  attending  at  Newburgh,  except  a  few 
women.    I  felt  moved  while  I  spoke  on  Isa.  63. 

June  27.  Rode  to  the  stone  church ;  and  found  stony 
hearts.  The  Methodists  ought  to  preach  only  in  their 
own  houses ;  I  have  done  with  the  houses  of  other  people. 
Brother  Whatcoat  bore  the  cross  and  preached  for  me 
here.  When  I  see  the  stupidity  of  the  people,  and  the 
contentiousness  of  their  spirit,  I  pity  and  grieve  over 
them.  I  have  hard  labor  in  traveling  among  the  rocks 
and  hills. 

June  29.  I  had  no  small  trial  with  Adam  Cloud,  who 
was  once  a  preacher  among  us  and  disowned.  He  had 
in  some  instances  fallen  short  of  his  quarterage  during 
his  ministry,  and  now  insisted  on  my  paying  him  his 


1789]  REACHES  PITTSBURG  283 

deficiencies;  I  did  not  conceive  that  in  justice  or  con- 
science this  was  recjuired  of  me ;  nevertheless,  to  get  rid 
of  him,  I  gave  him  £14. 

July  3.  Came  to  Philadelphia ;  here  I  found  enough 
to  do.  My  soul  longs  for  more  religion  in  this  city ;  I 
am  distressed  for  these  people.  Twenty  years  have  we 
been  laboring  in  Pennsylvania,  and  there  are  not  one 
thousand  in  society ;  how  many  of  these  are  truly  con- 
verted God  knows. 

July  19.  Came  to  Rowlett's  and  dined  ;  thence  we  set 
out  and  reached  Pittsburg,  twenty-five  miles  ;  I  preached 
in  the  evening  to  a  serious  audience.  This  is  a  day  of 
very  small  things ;  what  can  we  hope  ?  yet,  what  can  we 
fear?  I  felt  great  love  to  the  people,  and  hope  God  will 
arise  to  help  and  bless  them. 

July  21.  I  spoke  on,  "The  Son  of  man  is  come  to 
seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost ;"  we  were  crowded, 
and  I  felt  more  courage.  The  night  before,  the  rude  sol- 
diers were  talking  and  dancing  about  the  door ;  but  now 
they  were  quiet  and  mute;  this,  I  judged,  might  be 
owing  to  the  interference  of  the  officers,  or  magistracy. 

July  22.  We  left  Pittsburg,  and  came  by  the  Alle- 
gheny River  to  Wilson's,  who  was  formerly  an  elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  Brothers  Green,  Willis,  and 
Conway  were  my  companions  on  the  road. 

Communicates  with  Seneca  Indians 

July  25.  We  came  to  Uniontown,  where  there  ap- 
peared to  be  some  melting  love  among  the  people.  Now 
I  believe  God  is  about  to  work  in  this  place.  I  expect 
our  circuits  are  better  supplied  than  formerly ;  many  of 
the  people  are  alive  to  God,  and  there  are  openings  in 
many  places.  I  wrote  a  letter  to  Cornplanter,  chief  of 
the  Seneca  nation  of  Indians.  I  hope  God  will  shortly 
visit  these  outcasts  of  men,  and  send  messengers  to  pub- 
lish the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  among  them. 


284  ■     ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1789 

July  31.     I  crossed  the  mountain,  and  lodged,  I  trust 

for  the  last  time,  at  S "s.     Preached  at  Barratt's,  to 

a  dry,  unfaithful  people.  The  number  of  candidates 
for  the  ministry  are  many ;  from  which  circumstance  I 
am  led  to  think  the  Lord  is  about  greatly  to  enlarge  the 
borders  of  Zion. 

Aug.  8  (Virginia).  When  I  behold  the  conduct  of 
the  people  who  attend  the  Springs,  particularly  the  gen- 
try, I  am  led  to  thank  God  that  I  was  not  born  to  riches ; 
I  rather  bless  God  that  I  am  not  in  hell,  and  that  I  cannot 
partake  of  pleasure  with  sinners.  I  have  read  much, 
and  spoken  but  little,  since  I  came  here. 

Aug.  29.  Our  quarterly  meeting  began  in  the  woods 
near  Shepherdstown ;  we  had  about  seven  hundred  peo- 
ple ;  I  felt  energy  and  life  in  preaching,  and  power  at- 
tended the  Word.  Brother  Willis  spoke,  and  the  Lord 
wrought  powerfully. 

Aug.  30.  Was  a  high  day — one  thousand  or  fifteen 
hundred  people  attended ;  sinners  began  to  mock,  and 
many  cried  aloud ;  and  so  it  went.  I  was  wonderfully 
led  out  on  Psa.  145.  8-12,  and  spoke,  first  and  last, 
nearly  three  hours. 

Sept.  8.  Preached  in  town  and  at  the  Point.  The 
last  quarterly  meeting  was  a  wonder-working  time :  fifty 
or  sixty  souls,  then  and  there,  appeared  to  be  brought  to 
God ;  people  were  daily  praying  from  house  to  house, 
some  crying  for  mercy,  others  rejoicing  in  God,  and  not 
a  few,  day  after  day,  joining  in  society  for  the  benefit  of 
religious  fellowship.    Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul ! 

Visits  from  House  to  House 

I  spent  some  time  in  visiting  from  house  to  house,  and 
begging  for  the  college.  The  married  men  and  the  single 
men,  the  married  women  and  the  single  women,  I  met 
apart,  and  was  comforted.  Many  of  the  children  of  the 
Methodists    are    the    happy    subjects    of    this    glorious 


1789]  BUSH  FOREST  CHAPEL  285 

revival.     We  have  more  members  in  Baltimore  than  in 
any  city  or  town  on  the  continent  besides. 

Sept.  14.  Came  to  Daniel  Evans's,  one  of  our  oldest 
members,  and  his  house  one  of  our  oldest  stands ;  to  this 
day  he  has  continued  to  Ik*  steadfast.  The  Lord  has  now 
made  bare  his  arm,  and  brought  in  forty  or  fifty  young 
people,  among-  whom  are  some  of  his  own  children,  for 
whom  so  many  prayers  have  been  offered  up  to  God ; 
the  fire  of  the  Lord  spreads  from  house  to  house,  and 
from  heart  to  heart. 

Visits  Cokesbory  College 

Sept.  21.  Rode  in  the  evening  to  Cokesbury.  I  found 
L  Stewart  had  gone  to  his  final  rest ;  he  was  a  pious  lad 
who  kept  too  close  to  his  studies.  He  praised  God  to  the 
last,  even  when  he  was  delirious ;  it  made  the  students 
very  solenui  for  a  season. 

Sept.  28.  After  a  long  absence  I  preached  at  Bush 
Forest  Chai)el ;  this  was  one  of  the  first  houses  that  was 
built  for  the  Methodists  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  and 
one  of  the  first  societies  was  formed  here.  They  had 
been  dead  for  many  years ;  of  late  the  Lord  has  visited 
this  neighborhood,  and  I  suppose,  from  report,  fifty  souls 
have  been  converted  to  God. 

Oct,  5.  We  had  a  meeting  of  the  principal  'mem- 
bers, to  consult  about  the  incorporation  of  our  church." 

Oct.  6.  After  twenty  years'  preaching  they  have  built 
a  very  beautiful  meetinghouse  at  Burlington  ;  but  it  is 
low  times  there  in  religion.  At  New  Mills  both  preachers 
and  people  appeared  to  feel,  and  the  watch-night  was 
attended  with  some  breathings  after  God. 

Oct.  12.  I  returned  to  Philadelphia,  where  there 
were  five  criminals  hanged ;  one  of  them  was  converted. 

Oct.  14.  I  preached  at  Wilmington,  on  the  dedication 
of  our  new  chapel ;  thus  far  are  we  come  after  more  than 
twenty  years'  labor  in  this  place. 


286  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1789 

Oct.  18.  Preached  on,  "The  Lord  whom  ye  seek,  shall 
suddenly  come  to  his  temple."  Ordained  William  Jes- 
sop  and  John  Baldwin,  elders.  We  have  had  encourag- 
ing intelligence  of  an  opening  in  New  England ;  we  shall 
send  Jacob  Brush  to  assist  Jesse  Lee,  who  has  been  some 
time  visiting  those  parts.  Reached  Judge  White's  in  the 
evening,  and  rested  there. 

A  School  for  Boys 

Nov.  3.  The  school  for  the  charity  boys  much  occu- 
pies my  mind.  Our  annual  expenditure  will  amount  to 
i200,  and  the  aid  we  get  is  but  trifling.  The  poverty  of 
the  people,  and  the  general  scarcity  of  money,  is  the 
great  source  of  our  difficulties.  The  support  of  our 
preachers,  who  have  families,  absorbs  our  collections,  so 
that  neither  do  our  elders  nor  the  charity  school  get 
much.  We  have  the  poor,  but  they  have  no  money ;  and 
the  worldly,  wicked  rich  we  do  not  choose  to  ask.  I 
have  ridden  about  one  hundred  miles  from  Sunday  morn- 
ing till  Tuesday  night ;  at  the  same  time  very  sick  with  a 
cold  and  influenza,  which  spreads  in  almost  every  family. 

Nov.  8.  At  the  love  feast  the  young  were  greatly 
filled,  and  the  power  of  the  Most  High  spread  through- 
out. It  appeared  as  if  they  woifld  have  continued  till 
night  if  they  had  not  been  in  some  measure  forced  to  stop 
that  we  might  have  public  worship.  I  stood  near  the 
window,  and  spoke  on  Isa.  64.  1-5.  There  was  a  stir, 
and  several  sinners  went  away.  There  were  very  un- 
common circumstances  of  a  supernatural  kind  said  to 
be  observed  at  this  meeting.  The  saints  of  the  ivorhi 
are  dreadfully  displeased  at  their  work ;  which,  after  all, 
is  the  best  evidence  that  it  is  of  God. 

Nov.  20.  Being  the  day  of  our  quarterly  meeting  fast, 
we  strove  to  keep  it  as  well  as  our  feeble  bodies  would 
admit. 

Nov.  22.     There  was  a  shaking  among  the  people: 


1789]  MEETING  OF  COUNCIL  287 

some  were  alarmed;  some  professed  to  be  justified,  and 
others  sanctified  ;  while  the  wicked  brought  with  them 
much  of  the  power  of  Satan.  I  received  some  relief 
from  my  poor  orphans. 

Nov.  29.  I  preached  at  Duck  Creek.  Stopped,  and 
gave  them  a  discourse  at  Middletown ;  and  spent  the 
evening  with  a  worthy,  kind  friend.  A  number  of  dear 
old  brethren  accompanied  me  to  Cokesbury,  where  we 
had  an  examination  of  the  boys,  and  stationed  eleven  on 
charity.    Thence  we  hastened  on  to  Baltimore. 

Asbury's  Council  Convenes 

Dec.  3.  Our  Council  was  seated,  consisting  of  the  fol- 
lowing persons,  namely :  Richard  Ivey,  from  Georgia ; 
Reuben  Ellis,  South  Carolina ;  Edward  Morris,  North 
Carolina ;  Philip  Bruce,  North  district  of  Virginia ; 
James  O'Kelly,  South  district  of  Virginia ;  Lemuel 
Green,  Ohio ;  Nelson  Reed,  Western  Shore  of  Maryland ; 
Joseph  Everett,  Eastern  Shore ;  John  Dickins,  Pennsyl- 
vania;  James  O.  Cromwell,  Jersey;  and  Freeborn  Gar- 
rettson.  New  York.  All  our  business  was  done  in  love 
and  unanimity.  The  concerns  of  the  college  were  well 
attended  to,  as  also  the  printing  business.  We  formed 
some  resolutions  relative  to  economy  and  union,  and 
others  concerning  the  funds  for  the  relief  of  our  suf- 
fering preachers  on  the  frontiers.  We  rose  on  the  eve 
of  Wednesday  following.  During  our  sitting  we  had 
preaching  every  night ;  some  few  souls  were  stirred  up, 
and  others  converted.  The  prudence  of  some  had  stilled 
the  noisy  ardor  of  our  young  people ;  and  it  was  difficult 
to  rekindle  the  fire.  I  collected  about  £28  for  the  poor 
suiTering  preachers  in  the  West.  We  spent  one  day  in 
speaking  our  own  experiences,  and  giving  an  account 
of  the  progress  and  state  of  the  work  of  God  in  our 
several  districts ;  a  spirit  of  union  pervades  the  whole 
body,  producing  blessed  efifects  and  fruits. 


288  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

This  Council  was  Asbury's  idea.  Nearly  five  years  had 
passed  since  the  Christmas  Conference,  and  there  had  been  no 
general  meeting  of  the  preachers.  Asbury  did  not  see  the  need 
of  a  General  Conference  and  proposed  the  formation  of  a  Coun- 
cil, to  be  composed  of  men  selected  by  himself,  and  with  almost 
plenary  powers.  It  met  with  much  opposition,  and  was  only 
twice  assembled. 

Dec.  25.  On  Christmas  Eve  I  made  a  visit  to  Coun- 
selor Carter,  a  very  social  gentleman,  a  Baptist.  After 
preaching  we  had  fifteen  miles  to  ride,  and  twenty  miles 
the  next  morning  to  Lancaster  quarterly  meeting. 

Dec  29.  After  waiting  at  the  ferry  about  four  hours 
we  made  an  attempt  to  cross  in  an  old  boat,  with  tattered 
sails,  which  gave  way  near  the  middle  of  the  river ; 
through  mercy  we  got  safe  over.  Thence  directing  our 
course  to  Turk's  Ferry,  a  poor  old  negro  made  out  to  get 
us  across  in  a  little  flat. 

Jan.  I,  1790.  No  appointment  for  preaching.  We 
are  bound  to  the  South,  and  shall  proceed  on  as  fast  as 
we  can. 

Jan.  2.  We  were  refreshed  in  the  evening.  Next 
day  (Sabbath)  I  preached  at  Chickahominy  Church  once 
more.  Sinners.  Pharisees,  backsliders,  hypocrites,  and 
believers  were  faithfully  warned ;  and  of  all  these  char- 
acters there  were  doubtless  a  goodly  number  in  the  large 
congregation  which  attended.  Brother  Bruce  went  to 
Brown's,  and  Brother  Whatcoat  and  myself  to  Welden's. 

Ferries  Dangerous  and  Expensive 

Jan.  4.  We  crossed  James  River,  with  a  fresh  wind 
ahead,  and  only  two  poor  blacks,  where  four  ferrymen 
are  necessary.  Two  brigs  under  sail  came  down  full 
upon  us,  and  we  had  hard  work  to  get  out  of  their  way. 
These  large  ferries  are  dangerous  and  expensive ;  our 
ferriages  alone  have  cost  us  £3  since  we  left  Annapolis. 

Jan.  12.  From  Mabry's  we  came  to  Brunswick  quar- 
terly meeting,  where  there  was  a  considerable  quickening. 


i79o]  JAMES  O'KELLY  289 

and  manifestation  of  the  Lord's  power.  We  had  a  good 
meeting  at  Roanoke  Chapel;  I  rejoiced  that  the  society 
had  increased  to  more  than  hundred  souls. 

Beginning  of  the  O'Kelly  Controversy 

I  received  a  letter  from  the  presiding  elder  of  this  dis- 
trict, James  O'Kelly ;  he  makes  heavy  complaints  of  my 
power,  and  hids  me  stop  for  one  year,  or  he  must  use 
his  influence  against  me.  Power !  power !  there  is  not 
a  vote  given  in  a  Conference  in  which  the  presiding  elder 
has  not  greatly  the  advantage  of  me.  All  the  influence 
I  am  to  gain  over  a  company  of  young  men  in  a  district 
must  be  done  in  three  weeks ;  the  greater  part  of  them, 
perhaps,  are  seen  by  me  only  at  Conference,  while  the 
presiding  elder  has  had  them  with  him  all  the  year,  and 
has  the  greatest  opportunity  of  gaining  influence.  This 
advantage  may  be  abused  ;  let  the  bishops  look  to  it.  But 
who  has  the  power  to  lay  an  embargo  on  me,  and  to 
make  of  none  effect  the  decision  of  all  the  Conferences 
of  the  Union  ? 

This  was  the  opening  gun  of  the  famous  controversy  which 
resulted  in  O'Kelly's  withdrawal  from  the  church  at  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  in  1792,  and  the  formation  by  him  of  a  separate 
church  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of  the  Republican  Methodist 
Church.    '*" 

Jan.  22.  Came  to  Rainey's,  in  Orange  County,  to  a 
quarterly  meeting,  where  seven  of  our  preachers  met  to- 
gether. The  first  day  the  people  were  dull ;  the  second 
our  congregation  was  large;  my  subject  was,  "We  will 
give  ourselves  to  prayer  and  the  ministry  of  the  Word." 
I  ordained  Thomas  Anderson  to  the  office  of  an  elder. 
We  rode  through  a  heavy  rain  sixteen  miles  to  our  friend 
Burr's ;  here  they  have  built  us  a  complete  house  of  the 
heart  of  oak.  Proceeded  twelve  miles  to  Rocky  River, 
and  preached  at  McMaster's  Chapel ;  afterward  we  had 
a  night  meeting,  and  upon  the  whole  I  believe  we  were 


290  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

speaking  about  four  hours,  besides  nearly  two  spent  in 
prayer. 

Jan.  30.  Since  we  crossed  Roanoke  River,  we  have 
passed  through  Warren,  Granville,  Wake,  Chatham, 
Orange,  Randolph,  and  Richmond  Counties,  in  North 
Carolina.  After  passing  Hedge  Cock  Creek  I  preached 
at  Night's  Chapel,  on  "My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee" ; 
there  was  some  quickening,  and  I  was  blest.  It  is  no 
small  exercise  to  ride  twenty  miles,  or  more,  as  we  fre- 
quently do,  before  twelve  o'clock ;  taking  all  kinds  of 
food  and  lodging,  and  weather  too,  as  it  comes,  whether 
it  be  good  or  bad.  I  saw  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in  pre- 
serving my  life  and  limbs  when  my  horse  made  an  un- 
common start  and  sprung  some  yards  with  me ;  it  was 
with  difficulty  I  kept  the  saddle. 

Reads  Thomson's  Seasons 

Feb.  I.  I  have  lately  read  Thomson's  Seasons,  con- 
taining upward  of  two  hundred  pages.  I  find  a  little 
wheat  and  a  great  deal  of  chaff.  I  have  read  great  au- 
thors, so  called,  and  wondered  where  they  found  their 
finery  of  words  and  phrases ;  much  of  this  might  be  pil- 
fered from  the  Seasons  without  injury  to  the  real  merit 
of  the  work ;  and  doubtless  it  has  been  plucked  by  lit- 
erary robbers,  and  my  wonder  may  cease. 

Feb.  10.  Came  to  Charleston.  Here  I  received  good 
news  from  Baltimore  and  New  York :  about  two  hun- 
dred souls  have  been  brought  to  God  within  a  few  weeks. 
I  have  been  closely  occupied  in  writing  to  Europe  and 
to  different  parts  of  this  continent.  We  feel  a  little 
quickening  here.   Brother  Whatcoat  preaches  every  night. 

The  Continent  Aflame 

Feb.  13.  The  preachers  are  coming  in  to  the  Confer- 
ence. I  have  felt  fresh  springs  of  desire  in  my  soul  for 
a  revival  of  religion.     O,  mav  the  work  be  general !     It 


i79o]      BEGINNING  OF  SUNDAY  SCHOOLS       291 

is  a  happy  thing"  to  he  united  as  is  our  society.  The  happy 
news  of  the  revival  of  the  work  of  God  flies  from  one 
part  of  the  continent  to  the  other. 

Powers  of  the  Council 

Feb.  15.  Our  Conference  began.  Our  business  was 
conducted  in  great  peace  and  love.  The  business  of  the 
Council  came  before  us,  and  it  was  determined  that  the 
concerns  of  the  college,  and  the  printing,  should  be  left 
with  the  Council  to  act  decisively  upon  ;  but  that  no  new 
canons  should  ])e  made,  nor  the  old  altered,  without  the 
consent  of  the  Conference ;  and  that  whatever  was  done 
on  this  head  should  come  in  the  shape  of  advice  only. 

Feb.  17.  I  preached  on,  "If  thou  take  forth  the  pre- 
cious from  the  vile,  thou  shalt  be  as  my  mouth."  It  was 
a  searching  season  ;  several  spoke  and  prayed,  and  we 
had  noise  enough.  The  evening  before  an  extract  of 
sundry  letters  from  New  York  and  Baltimore  was  read 
in  the  congregation,  at  which  saints  and  sinners  were  af- 
fected. But  we  have  not  a  sufficient  breastwork.  Our 
friends  are  too  mute  and  fearful,  and  many  of  the  out- 
doors people  are  violent  and  wicked,  but  I  have  hopes 
that  some  hundreds  in  the  city  will  be  converted  by  this 
time  next  vear.  Our  Conference  resolved  on  establishing 
Sundav  schools  for  poor  children,  white  and  black. 

There  were  fourteen  Conferences  held  in  1790,  this  being  the 
first.  In  the  Minutes  of  this  year  appear  the  following  ques- 
tion and  answer.  This  is  the  first  account  we  have  of  Sunday 
schools  in  America: 

"Ques.  What  can  be  done  in  order  to  instruct  poor  children, 
white  and  black,  to  read? 

"  Ans.  Let  us  labor,  as  the  heart  and  soul  of  one  man,  to 
establish  Sunday  schools  in  or  near  the  place  of  public  worship. 
Let  persons  be  appointed  by  the  bishops,  elders,  deacons,  or 
preachers,  to  teach,  gratis,  all  that  will  attend  and  have  a 
capacity  to  learn,  from  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  ten,  and 
from  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  till  six,  where  it  does  not 
interfere  with  public  worship.  The  council  shall  compile  a 
proper  schoolbook,  to  teach  them  learning  and  piety." 


292  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

Mar.  4.  I  preached  with  hberty  in  a  new  church,  near 
Fan's  Bridge.  We  have  been  exercised  in  pubHc  night 
and  day ;  frequently  we  have  not  more  than  six  hours' 
sleep ;  our  horses  are  weary,  and  the  houses  are  so 
crowded  that  at  night  our  rest  is  much  disturbed.  Jesus 
is  not  always  in  our  dwellings ;  and  where  he  is  not,  a 
pole  cabin  is  not  very  agreeable.  Provisions  for  man  and 
horse  we  have  plenty  of.  Our  journeys  are  about  thirty 
miles,  day  by  day ;  but  under  all  these  trials  I  enjoy  peace 
and  patience,  and  have  much  of  the  love  of  God,  and  have 
a  great  desire  to  do  his  will. 

Mar.  10.  Our  Conference  began  at  Grant's.  We  had 
preaching  every  day,  and  there  were  some  quickenings 
among  the  people.  Our  business  was  conducted  in  peace 
and  unanimity.  The  deficiencies  of  the  preachers,  who 
receive  a  salary  of  $64  per  annum  from  this  Confer- 
ence, amounted  to  £74  for  the  last  year. 

Mar.  II.  We  had  a  rainy  day,  yet  a  full  house,  and 
a  living  love  feast.  Some  souls  were  converted,  and 
others  professed  sanctification.  I  had  some  opening  in 
speaking  from  Ezek.  2.  7.  We  have  a  prospect  of  ob- 
taining a  hundred  acres  of  land  for  every  £100  we  can 
raise  and  pay,  for  the  support  of  Wesley  and  Whitefield 
School.  On  Monday  we  rode  out  to  view  three  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  offered  for  the  above  purpose. 

The  Chapel  at  Bibb's  Crossroads 

Mar.  16.  We  set  out  on  our  journey,  and  came  to 
the  new  chapel  at  Bibb's  Crossroads.  I  preached  with 
some  life  and  liberty,  and  ordained  Brother  Bennet 
Maxey  to  the  office  of  deacon.  I  spent  the  evening  at 
Brother  Herbert's,  where  lie  interred  the  remains  of 
dear  Brother  Major.  I  was  told  that  a  poor  sinner  was 
struck  wath  conviction  at  his  grave,  and  thought  he  heard 
the  voice  of  God  calling  him  to  repentance. 

Mar.  22.     We  have  traveled  about  six  hundred  miles 


i79o]  WEATHER-BOUND  293 

in  about  three  weeks,  besides  the  time  taken  up  in  Con- 
ference. Thou,  Lord,  wilt  have  mercy,  and  save  both 
man  and  beast!  I  expect  Providence  brought  us  this 
way,  to  pity  and  to  help  the  people. 

Asbtiry^s  Forebodings 

Mar.  26.  Rode  about  twenty-two  miles.  Stopped  at 
Colonel  Graham's,  dripping  wet  with  rain.  He  received 
us,  poor  strangers,  with  great  kindness,  and  treated  us 
hospitably.  We  had  awful  thunder,  wind,  and  rain.  I 
was  still  ill  with  a  complaint  that  terminated  the  life  of 
my  grandfather  Asbury,  whose  name  I  bear;  perhaps 
it  will  also  be  my  end.  We  were  weather-bound  until 
the  twenty-ninth  of  March.  For  several  days  I  have 
been  very  sick  and  serious.  I  have  been  enabled  to  look 
into  eternity  with  some  pleasure.  I  could  give  up  the 
church,  the  college,  and  schools ;  nevertheless,  there 
was  one  draw^l)ack — What  will  my  enemies  and  mistaken 
friends  say?  Why,  that  he  hath  offended  the  Lord,  and 
he  hath  taken  him  away.  In  the  afternoon  I  felt  some- 
what better.  Brother  Whatcoat  preached  a  most  excel- 
lent sermon  on,  "The  kingdom  of  God  is  not  in  word  but 
in  power" — not  in  sentiments  or  forms,  but  in  the  con- 
vincing, converting,  regenerating,  sanctifying  power  of 
God.  I  am  making  close  application  to  my  Bible.  Noth- 
ing can  take  the  place  of  God  s  Word. 

Apr.  3.  Quarterly  meeting  began.  Brother  Whatcoat 
and  myself  both  preached,  and  there  was  a  reviving 
among  both  white  and  black,  and  I  trust  some  souls 
were  blessed. 

Apr.  4.  Was  a  serious  day ;  none  were  admitted  to 
our  private  meetings  but  members ;  many  spoke,  and  most 
felt  the  power  of  God.  We  then  hasted  to  the  Globe 
chapel,  where  the  people  met  but  had  not  patience  to 
wait ;  we  had  a  rough  road,  and  John's  River  to  cross 
twenty  times. 


294  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

Apr.  6.  We  were  compelled  to  ride  through  the  rain, 
and  crossed  the  Stone  Mountain ;  those  who  wish  to 
know  how  rough  it  is  may  tread  in  our  path.  What 
made  it  worse  to  me  was  that  while  I  was  looking  to 
see  what  was  become  of  our  guide  I  was  carried  off  with 
full  force  against  a  tree  that  hung  across  the  road  some 
distance  from  the  ground,  and  my  head  received  a  very 


ASBURY  S    CONSECRATION    AS    BISHOP. 
From  an  old  print. 

great  jar,  which,  however,  was  lessened  by  my  having 
on  a  hat  that  was  strong  in  the  crown.  We  came  on  to 
the  dismal  place  called  Roan's  Creek,  which  was  pretty 
full.  Here  we  took  a  good  breakfast  on  our  tea,  bacon, 
and  bread.  Reaching  Watauga,  we  had  to  swim  our 
horses,  and  ourselves  to  cross  in  a  canoe ;  up  the  Iron 
Mountain  we  ascended,  where  we  had  many  a  seat  to 
rest,  and  many  a  weary  step  to  climb.  At  length  we  came 
to  Greer's,  and  with  gladness  halted  for  the  night. 


i79o]  PREACHERS  POORLY  CLAD  295 

Apr.  7.  We  reached  Nelson's  Chapel  about  one 
o'clock,  after  riding  al)out  eighteen  miles.  Now  it  is 
that  we  must  prepare  for  danger,  in  going  through  the 
wilderness.  I  received  a  faithful  letter  from  Brother 
Poythress  in  Kentucky,  encouraging  me  to  come.  This 
letter  I  think  well  deserving  of  puljlication.  I  found  the 
poor  preachers  indifferently  clad,  with  emaciated  bodies, 
and  subject  to  hard  fare;  yet  I  hope  they  are  rich  in 
faith. 

Apr.  II.  The  man  of  the  house  is  gone  after  some 
horses,  supposed  to  be  stolen  by  Indians.  I  have  been 
near  fainting;  but  my  soul  is  revived  again,  and  my  bod- 
ily strength  is  somewhat  renewed.  If  these  difficulties, 
which  appear  to  impede  my  path,  are  designed  to  prevent 
my  going  to  Kentucky  I  hope  to  know  shortly. 

A  Heavily  Laden  Horse 

Apr.  12.  We  loaded  Brother  Anderson's  little  horse 
with  my  great  bags,  and  two  pair  smaller ;  four  saddles, 
with  blankets  and  provender.  We  then  set  out  and 
walked  ten  miles,  and  our  horses  were  brought  to  us, 
and  those  who  brought  them  were  pleased  to  take  what 
we  pleased  to  give. 

Apr.   13.     We  came  back  to  A 's,  a  poor  sinner. 

He  was  highly  offended  that  we  prayed  so  loud  in  his 
house.  He  is  a  distiller  of  whisky,  and  boasts  of  gaining 
£300  per  annum  by  the  brewing  of  his  poison.  We  talked 
very  plainly,  and  I  told  him  that  it  was  of  necessity,  and 
not  of  choice,  we  were  there ;  that  I  feared  the  face  of 
no  man.  He  said  he  did  not  desire  me  to  trouble  myself 
about  his  soul.  Perhaps  the  greatest  offense  was  given 
by  my  speaking  against  distilling  and  slaveholding,  but 
why  shall  we  not  speak? 

Apr.  18.  Brother  Whatcoat  preached  at  General  Rus- 
sell's, on  the  birth,  character,  and  office  of  John  the 
Baptist. 


296  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

Apr.  20.  From  December  14,  1789,  we  compute  to 
have  traveled  two  thousand  five  hundred  and  seventy- 
eight  miles.  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped.  Glory ! 
glory  to  our  God !  My  mouth  shall  sing  thy  praises, 
O  Lord! 

Apr.  21  (Virginia).  We  had  a  good  prayer  meeting 
at  General  Russell's.  This  family  is  lavish  in  attentions 
and  kindness.  I  was  nursed  as  an  only  child  by  the  good 
man  and  woman  of  the  house,  and  indeed  by  all  the 
family.     God  Almighty  bless  them  and  reward  them  1 

Preaches  at  a  Frontier  Station 

Apr.   28.     I  preached  at  Brother  B 's,  a  frontier 

house,  and  a  station.  In  time  past,  a  person  was  killed 
here  by  the  Indians.  The  people  showed  their  zeal  in 
purchasing  two  magazines  and  several  hymn  books. 
Some  say  nothing  but  wdiisky  will  bring  money ;  but  I 
proved  the  contrary,  and  I  give  them  credit. 

Apr.  29.  We  rode  down  to  Blackmore's  Station  ;  here 
the  people  have  been  forted  on  the  north  side  of  Clinch. 
Poor  Blackmore  has  had  a  son  and  daughter  killed  by 
the  Indians.  They  are  of  opinion  here  that  the  Chero- 
kees  were  the  authors  of  this  mischief.  I  also  received 
an  account  of  two  families  having  been  killed,  and  of 
one  female  that  was  taken  prisoner  and  afterward  re- 
taken by  the  neighbors  and  brought  back. 

Apr.  30.  Crossed  Clinch  about  two  miles  below  the 
fort.  In  passing  along  I  saw  the  precipice  from  which 
Blackmore's  unhappy  son  leaped  into  the  river  after  re- 
ceiving the  stroke  of  a  tomahawk  in  his  head ;  I  suppose, 
by  the  measure  of  my  eye,  it  must  be  between  fifty  and 
sixty  feet  descent ;  his  companion  was  shot  dead  upon 
the  spot;  this  happened  on  the  sixth  of  April,  1789.  We 
came  a  dreary  road  over  rocks,  ridges,  hills,  stones,  and 
streams,  along  a  blind,  tortuous  path,  to  Moccasin  Gap 
and   Creek ;  thence  to   Smith's  Ferrv  across  the   North 


i79o]  FROM  OVER  THE  HILLS  297 

Branch  of  Plolston.     Here  I  found  some  lies  had  been 
told  on  me ;  feeling  myself  innocent,  I  was  not  moved. 

A  Dream  and  Its  Fulfillment 

May  3.  I  preached  at  Brother  Payne's,  and  had  some 
encouragement  among'  our  Maryland  people.  Sabbath 
night  1  dreamed  the  guard  from  Kentucky  came  for  me ; 
and  mentioned  it  to  Brother  Whatcoat.  In  the  mornuig 
I  retired  to  a  small  stream  for  meditation  and  prayer, 
and  while  there  saw  two  men  come  over  the  hills. 
I  felt  a  presumption  that  they  were  Kentucky  men,  and 
so  they  proved  to  be ;  they  were  Peter  Massie  and  John 
Clark,  who  were  coming  for  me  with  the  intelligence 
that  they  had  left  eight  men  below.  After  reading  the 
letters  and  asking  counsel  of  God,  I  went  with  them. 

ALvY  6.  We  came  to  Crablje's.  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  Valley,  and  were  occupied  in  collecting  our  company. 

ALvY  7.  We  formed  the  whole  of  our  company  at  the 
Valley  station ;  besides  Brother  Whatcoat  and  myself, 
we  were  sixteen  men,  having  thirteen  guns  only.  We 
moved  on  very  swiftly,  considering  the  roughness  of  the 
way,  traveling,  by  my  computation,  thirty-five  miles  to- 
day. Next  day  we  reached  Rich  Land  Creek,  and  en- 
camped on  the  road  about  nine  o'clock  at  night,  having 
made,  by  computation,  forty-five  miles. 

A  Ctiriotjs  Rock 

May  9.  We  traveled  about  fifty  miles,  and  next  day 
forty-five  miles,  and  reached  Madison  Courthouse,  pass- 
ing the  branches  of  Rock  Castle  River;  on  our  journey 
we  saw  the  rock  whence  the  river  derives  its  name ;  it 
is  amazing,  and  curious,  with  appearances  the  most  arti- 
ficial I  have  ever  seen ;  it  is  not  unlike  an  old  church  or 

castle  in  Europe.     We  stopped  at  M 's,  whose  wife, 

now  a  tender,  gracious  soul,  was  taken  prisoner  by  the 
Indians  during  the  last  war,  and  carried  to  Detroit, 


298  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

May  II.  Crossed  Kentucky  River.  I  was  strangely 
outdone  for  want  of  sleep,  having  been  greatly  deprived 
of  it  in  my  journey  through  the  wilderness ;  which  is 
like  being  at  sea,  in  some  respects,  and  in  others  worse. 
Our  way  is  over  mountains,  steep  hills,  deep  rivers,  and 
muddy  creeks ;  a  thick  growth  of  reeds  for  miles  to- 
gether, and  no  inhabitants  but  wild  beasts  and  savage 
men.  Sometimes,  before  I  am  aware,  my  ideas  would 
be  leading  me  to  be  looking  out  ahead  for  a  fence,  and 
I  would,  without  reflection,  try  to  recollect  the  houses 
we  should  have  lodged  at  in  the  wilderness.  I  slept 
about  an  hour  the  first  night,  and  about  two  the  last. 
We  ate  no  regular  meal ;  our  bread  grew  short,  and  I  was 
much  spent.  I  saw  the  graves  of  the  slain — twenty-four 
in  one  camp.  I  learn  that  they  had  set  no  guard,  and  that 
they  were  up  late,  playing  at  cards.  A  poor  woman  of 
the  company  had  dreamed  three  times  that  the  Indians 
had  surprised  them  all ;  she  urged  her  husband  to  en- 
treat the  people  to  set  a  guard,  but  they  only  abused 
him,  and  cursed  him  for  his  pains.  As  the  poor  woman 
was  relating  her  last  dream  the  Indians  came  upon  the 
camp ;  she  and  her  husband  sprang  away,  one  east,  the 
other  west,  and  escaped.  She  afterward  came  back  and 
witnessed  the  carnage.  As  to  the  land,  it  is  the  richest 
body  of  fertile  soil  I  have  ever  beheld. 

An  Old  New  York  Friend  in  Kentucky 

May  13.  Being  court  time,  I  preached  in  a  dwelling 
house,  at  Lexington,  and  not  without  some  feeling.  The 
Methodists  do  but  little  here.  After  dinner  I  rode  about 
five  miles  in  company  with  poor  Charles  White.  Ah,  how 
many  times  have  I  eaten  at  this  man's  table  in  New 
York ! — and  now  he  is  without  property  and  without 
grace.  When  about  to  part  I  asked  him  if  he  loved  God. 
His  soul  was  in  his  eyes;  he  burst  into  tears,  and  could 
scarcely  speak — "he  did  not  love  God,  but  he  desired  it." 


i79o]  ANOTHER  SCHOOL  299 

He  was  one  of  the  original  trustees  of  Wesley  Chapel,  now 
John  Street  Church,  in  New  York  city,  treasurer  of  the  Board 
during  the  Revolutionary  War.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  being 
a  loyalist,  he  went  to  Nova  Scotia,  afterward  returning  to  the 
United  States,  and  for  some  unknown  reason  taking  up  his 
residence  near  Lexington,  Kentucky. 

Another  School  Planned 

Our  Conference  was  held  at  Brother  Masterson's,  a 
very  comfortable  house,  and  kind  people.  We  went 
through  our  business  in  great  love  and  harmony.  I  or- 
dained Wilson  Lee,  Thomas  Williamson,  and  Barnabas 
McHenry  elders.  We  had  preaching  noon  and  night,  and 
souls  were  converted,  and  the  fallen  restored.  My  soul 
has  been  blessed  among  these  people,  and  I  am  exceed- 
ingly pleased  with  them.  I  would  not,  for  the  worth  of 
all  the  place,  having  been  prevented  in  this  visit,  having  no 
doubt  but  that  it  will  be  for  the  good  of  the  present 
rising  generation.  It  is  true,  such  exertions  of  mind 
and  body  are  trying;  but  I  am  supported  under  it;  if 
souls  are  saved,  it  is  enough.  Brother  Poythress  is  much 
alive  to  God.  We  fixed  a  plan  for  a  school,  and  called  it 
Bethel ;  and  obtained  a  subscription  of  upward  of  £300, 
in  land  and  money,  toward  its  establishment. 

M.\Y  17.  Rode  to  Coleman's  Chapel,  about  ten  miles 
from  Lexington,  and  preached  to  an  unengaged  people. 
We  thence  rode  to  L  Lewis's,  on  the  bend  of  the  Ken- 
tucky River.  Lewis  is  an  old  acquaintance,  from  Lees- 
burg,  Virginia ;  I  was  pleased  to  find  tbat  heaven  and 
religion  were  not  lost  sight  of  in  this  family.  Brother 
Lewis  offered  me  one  hundred  acres  of  land  for  Bethel, 
on  a  good  spot  for  building  materials. 

Signs  of  Indians 

May  24.  We  set  out  on  our  return  through  the  wil- 
derness with  a  large  and  helpless  company ;  we  had  a])out 
fifty  people,  twenty  of  whom  were  armed,  and  five  of 


300  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

whom  might  have  stood  fire.  To  preserve  order  and  har- 
mony, we  had  articles  drawn  up  for,  and  signed  by,  our 
company,  and  I  arranged  the  people  for  traveling  ac- 
cording to  the  regulations  agreed  upon.  Some  disaf- 
fected gentlemen,  wdio  w^ould  neither  sign  nor  come  vmder 
discipline,  had  yet  the  impudence  to  murmur  when  left 
behind.  The  first  night  we  lodged  some  miles  behind 
the  Hazel  patch.  The  next  day  we  discovered  signs  of 
Indians,  and  some  thought  they  heard  voices ;  we  there- 
fore thought  it  best  to  travel  on,  and  did  not  encamp 
until  three  o'clock,  halting  on  the  east  side  of  Cumber- 
land River.  We  had  gnats  enough.  We  had  an  alarm, 
but  it  turned  out  to  be  a  false  alarm.  A  young  gentle- 
man, a  Mr.  Alexander,  behaved  exceedingly  well ;  but  his 
tender  frame  was  not  adequate  to  the  fatigue  to  be  en- 
dured, and  he  had  well-nigh  fainted  on  the  road  to  Cum- 
berland Gap.  Brother  Massie  was  captain ;  and  finding 
I  had  gained  authority  among  the  people,  I  acted  some- 
what in  the  capacity  of  an  adjutant  and  quartermaster 
among  them.  At  the  foot  of  the  mountain  the  company 
separated  ;  the  greater  part  went  on  with  me  to  Powell's 
River ;  here  we  slept  on  the  earth,  and  next  day  made  the 
Grassy  Valley.  Several  of  the  company,  wdio  were  not 
Methodists,  expressed  their  high  approbation  of  our  con- 
duct, and  most  affectionately  invited  us  to  their  houses. 
The  journeys  of  each  day  w'ere  as  follows:  Monday, 
forty-five  miles ;  Tuesday,  fifty  miles ;  Wednesday,  sixty 
miles. 

May  28-30  I  spent  at  General  Russell's,  whose  wife  is 
converted  since  I  left  the  house  last ;  I  thought  then  that 
she  was  not  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Joins  His  Preachers  at  McKnight's 

June  i  (North  Carolina).  I  rode  about  forty-five 
miles  to  Armstrong's,  and  next  day  about  four  o'clock 
reached    McKnight's,   on   the    Yadkin    River,    in    North 


i79o]  JARRATT  PREACHES  301 

Carolina;  here  the  Conference  had  been  waitinsj;-  for  me 
nearly  two  weeks.  We  rejoiced  together,  and  my  breth- 
ren received  me  as  one  brought  from  the  jaws  of  ^eath. 
Our  business  was  much  matured,  the  critical  concern  of 
the  Council  understood,  and  the  plan,  with  its  amend- 
ments, adopted. 

Junk  7.  I  rode  about  three  hundred  miles  to  Kentucky 
in  six  days  ;  and  on  my  return  about  five  hundred  miles 
in  nine  da}'S.     O  what  exertions  for  luan  and  horse ! 

Conference  in  Virginia 

June  14.  Our  Conference  began  at  Petersburg,  Vir- 
ginia. All  was  peace  until  the  council  was  mentioned. 
The  young  men  appeared  to  be  entirely  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  elders,  and  turned  it  out  of  doors.  I  was 
weary,  and  felt  but  little  freedom  to  speak  on  the  subject. 
This  business  is  to  be  explained  to  every  preacher;  and 
then  it  must  be  carried  through  the  Conference  twenty- 
four  times,  that  is,  through  all  the  Conferences  for  two 
years.  We  had  some  little  quickenings,  but  no  great 
move  among  the  people  at  our  public  preaching.  Mr. 
Jarratt  preached  for  us ;  friends  at  first  are  friends  again 
at  last.  There  were  four  elders  and  seventeen  deacons 
ordained ;  ten  young  men  who  ofifered  to  travel,  besides 
those  who  remained  on  trial.  We  have  good  news  from 
a  far  country — Jersey  flames  with  religion ;  some  hun- 
dreds are  converted.  The  work  of  God  does  revive 
here,  although  not  in  the  same  degree  as  it  did  two 
years  ago. 

June  30.  Brother  Whatcoat  gave  us  a  weighty  dis- 
course on  the  prophetic,  priestly,  and  kingly  offices  of 
Christ.  In  great  weakness,  I  enlarged  on  i  Pet.  3.  15, 
and  showed  that  it  is  not  enough  to  sanctify  the  Lord 
God  in  his  name.  Word,  Sabbath,  ordinances,  ministers, 
people,  and  worship ;  but  that  the  heart  must  be  filled 
with  a  constant  fear  of,  confidence  in.  and  love  to,  God. 


302 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1790 


July  10.  Brother  Tiinnell's  corpse  was  brought  to 
Dew's  ChapeL  I  preached  his  funeral :  my  text,  "For  to 
me  tQj-hve  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain."  We  were  much 
blessed,  and  the  power  of  God  was  eminently  present. 
It  is  fourteen  years  since  Brother  TunncU  first  knew  the 
Lord,  and  he  has  spoken  about  thirteen  3'ears,  and 
traveled  through  eight  of  the  thirteen  states.  Few  men, 
as  public  ministers,  were  better  known  or  more  beloved. 


HOLDEN  S    MEETINGHOUSE,    QUEEN    ANNE    COUNTY, 

MARYLAND.   ' 
One  of  the  oldest  in  the  state,  said  to  have  been  built  in  1775. 

He  was  a  simple-hearted,  artless,  childlike  man.  For 
his  opportunities,  he  was  a  man  of  good  learning;  had  a 
large  fund  of  Scripture  knowledge,  was  a  good  his- 
torian, a  sensible,  improving  preacher,  a  most  affectionate 
friend,  and  a  great  saint.  He  had  been  wasting  and  de- 
clining in  strength  and  health  for  eight  years  past,  and 
for  the  last  twelve  months  sinking  into  consumption. 


i79o]  INDIAN  DEPREDATIONS  303 

July  16.  We  had  twenty  miles  to  Greenbrier  Court- 
house; here  some  sat  as  crities  and  judges.  We  had  to 
ride  thirty-one  miles  without  food  for  man  or  horse,  and 
to  call  at  three  hcjuses  before  we  could  get  water  fit  to 
drink  ;  all  this  may  serve  to  try  our  faith  or  patience. 

Child  Killed  by  Bear 

July  18.  W^e  had  a  warm  sermon  at  McNeal's,  at 
which  many  were  highly  offended ;  but  I  trust  their  false 
peace  is  broken.  There  are  many  bears  in  this  part  of 
the  country  ;  not  long  since  a  child  in  this  neighborhood 
was  killed  by  one. 

July  19.  Rode  to  Drinnon's,  whose  wife  was  killed, 
and  his  son  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians. 

July  20.  I  believe  I  never  before  traveled  such  a 
path  as  I  this  day  rode  over  the  mountains  to  reach  i^Ir. 
Nelson's,  in  Tyger's  \  alley. 

July  24.  Attended  quarterly  meeting  at  Morgantown 
— I  spoke  on  superstition,  idolatry,  unconditional  elec- 
tion, and  reprobation,  Antinomianism,  Universalism. 

July  28.  Our  Conference  began  at  Uniontown.  It 
was  conducted  in  peace  and  love.    I  preached. 

Aug.  18.  W'e  had  twenty-two  miles  to  Newtown. 
Here  they  have  built  a  spacious  chapel.  Our  horses  are 
stiff  and  lame  and  sore,  and  the  weather  is  oppressively 
VN^arm.  We  have  many  sick,  hungry,  weary  rides  through 
the  heat,  and  over  hills,  rocks,  and  mountains. 

A  Message  of  Conciliation 

Aug.  25.  Our  Conference  began  at  Leesburg;  and 
we  continued  together  until  the  Sabbath  following:  and 
had  a  happy  time  of  peace  and  union.  To  conciliate  the 
minds  of  our  brethren  in  the  South  district  of  Virginia, 
who  are  restless  about  the  Council,  I  wrote  their  leader 
a  letter,  informing  him  that  "I  would  take  my  seat  in 
Council  as  another  member" ;  and,  in  that  point,  at  least, 


304  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

waive  the  claims  of  episcopacy  ;  yet,  I  would  lie  down 
and  be  trodden  upon,  rather  than  knowingly  injure 
one  soul. 

Sept.  6.  Our  Conference  began;  was  conducted  in 
great  peace  and  union,  and  ended  on  Wednesday,  the 
eighth. 

Sept.  9.  I  rode  to  Cokesbury.  In  the  morning  philo- 
sophical lectures  were  delivered ;  and  in  the  afternoon 
the  boys  delivered  their  orations,  some  parts  of  which 
were  exceptionable,  and  duly  noticed.  We  made  some 
regulations  relative  to  the  order  and  government  to  be 
observed  in  the  college. 

Sept.  12.  I  preached  in  the  college  hall,  on  Matt. 
25.  31,  to  forty-six  scholars. 

Sept.  13.  Set  out,  and  next  day  reached  Duck  Creek 
Cross  Roads,  where  we  held  our  Conference  for  the 
Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland  and  Delaware.  One  or  two 
of  our  brethren  felt  the  Virginia  fire  about  the  question 
of  the  Council,  but  all  things  came  into  order,  and  the 
Council  obtained.  While  in  session  I  preached  twice: 
first,  on  Josh.  3.  5,  and  the  second  time,  on  Psa.  137.  6. 

Sept.  20.  I  reached  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Our 
brethren  have  built  a  new  chapel,  thirty  feet  square,  at 
the  south  end  of  the  city. 

Sept.  22.  The  Conference  began  in  poor  Pennsyl- 
vania District;  all  was  peace  and  love.  Our  printing  is 
in  a  good  state.  Our  society  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia 
are  generally  poor ;  perhaps  it  is  well ;  when  men  become 
rich  they  sometimes  forget  that  they  are  Methodists. 

Sept,  27.  Rode  to  Burlington,  the  place  appointed  for 
our  next  Conference.  Here  I  preached  on,  "Searching 
Jerusalem  with  candles,"  and  it  was  a  searching  season. 
One  night  we  had  a  shout — then  came  the  bulls  of 
Bashan  and  broke  our  windows.  It  was  well  my  head 
escaped  the  violence  of  these  wicked  sinners.  I  hope 
the  strong  power  of  Satan  will  feel  a  shake  this  Confer- 


i79o]  WEIGHTY  MATTERS  305 

ence.  The  session  has  been  in  great  peace ;  harmony 
prevailed,  and  the  council  has  been  unanimously  adopted. 
Oct.  I.  x\s  we  could  not  reach  New  York,  I  stopped 
and  gave  them  a  discourse  at  Elizabethtown.  We  after- 
ward had  a  safe,  although  a  long,  passage  by  water  to 
New  York ;  and  found  all  in  peace. 

The  Work  Grows  in  New  York 

Sunday  I  preached  at  the  old  church,  and  in  the  after- 
noon at  the  new,  on  Matt.  25.  31-46.  The  new  church  is 
commodious,  elegant,  yet  plain. 

A  good  work  had  followed  the  completion  of  this  new  church, 
which  had  been  built  through  the  efforts  of  Thomas  Morrell. 
A  revival  began  in  the  prayer  meetings,  which  continue  in 
the  public  service,  some  four  hundred  being  converted  in  eight 
weeks,  two  hundred  of  whom  joined  the  society. 

Oct.  4.  We  began  our  Conference,  and  sat  with  close 
application  to  business  until  Thursday  morning:  all  was 
peace,  order,  and  unanimity. 

Oct.  18.  At  Thomas  White's  my  soul  has  been  made 
to  feel  very  solemn :  a  view  of  the  remarkable  work  of 
God ;  the  death  of  some,  and  the  deep  spirituality  of 
others  ;  the  sending  out  young  men  for  the  ministry ;  and 
the  providing  for  the  fatherless  and  widows.  These  are 
all  weighty  matters,  and  greatly  occupied  my  mind.  In 
the  midst  of  all  my  soul  panteth  after  God. 

Oct.  23.  Came  to  Lewiston.  There  being  no  preach- 
ing appointed,  we  rode  to  the  lighthouse.  I  could  but 
praise  God  that  the  house  was  kept  by  people  who  praise 
and  love  him ;  no  drinking  or  swearing  here.     Brother 

H^ is  a  Christian  and  a  preacher ;  and  God  has  owned 

his  labors.  An  Irish  vessel  has  been  cast  away  with  three 
hundred  souls  on  board,  all  of  whom  perished  but  about 
forty ;  I  asked  him  concerning  it.  and  I  learned  that  they 
were  within  sight  of  land,  and  that  if  they  had  timely 
thrown  themselves  into  the  sea  they  were  nigh  enough 


3o6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

the  land  to  have  been  washed  ashore,  so  that  many  more 
would  have  probably  been  saved.  So  much  for  a  drunken 
captain,  who  threw  these  precious  lives  away.     Brother 

H told  me  that  he  did  not  go  near  the  wreck  until 

after  his  return  from  Lewiston,  with  a  guard ;  that  it 
was  reported  some  of  the  crew  were  as  ready  to  plunder 
the  goods  on  board  as  others.  Stricter  laws  are  now 
made,  and  the  people  on  this  shore  are  greatly  reformed ; 
for  which  they  may  thank  the  Methodists.  We  have  a 
chapel  built  at  Lewiston,  and  we  had  an  agreeable 
Sabbath  day.  The  people,  however,  have  their  preju- 
dices, and  these  have  to  be  considered. 

The  Sin  of  Unbelief 

Oct.  26.  I  preached  at  the  Sound  chapel.  Brother 
Everett  then  spoke  of  the  sin  of  unbelief  as  the  chief  sin 
that  keeps  people  from  the  blessings  of  the  gospel.  We 
administered  the  sacrament,  and  in  the  afternoon  rode  to 
Buckingham.  I  rejoiced  in  the  account  Brother  Powell 
gave  me  of  the  state  of  religion  at  the  Sound :  he  said 
that  the  Lord  had  owned  and  blessed  their  prayer  meet- 
ings ;  that  he  thought  one  hundred  souls  had  been 
affected  and  shaken,  and  perhaps  eighteen  or  twenty  con- 
verted, in  the  space  of  eighteen  or  twenty  months ;  that 
Brother  Williams,  a  local  deacon,  was  in  the  spirit  of 
the  work ;  formerly  he  pleased  all  with  his  smooth  speak- 
ing, but  that  now  they  cry  out  against  him. 

Oct.  27.  I  felt  glad  in  my  soul,  notwithstanding 
Brother  Lee  is  on  forbidden  ground ;  and,  in  spite  of 
prejudice  and  Antinomianism,  that  souls  are  awakened 
by  his  ministry. 

Oct.  28.  I  finished  reading  the  second  volume  of  the 
Arminian  Magazine.  Notwithstanding  its  defects,  I  am 
persuaded  it  is  one  of  the  best  and'  cheapest  books  in 
America ;  the  life  of  Mr.  Fletcher,  the  tracts,  letters,  and 
sermons  are  good ;  the  poetry  might  be  much  better. 


i79o]  SERMON  ON  EDUCATION  307 

Nov.  3.  I  preached  on  education,  from,  "Come,  ye 
children,  hearken  unto  me ;  I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the 
Lord."  The  Word  was  felt  by  the  parents.  After  preach- 
ing I  rode  to  Littleton  Long's.  This  neighborhood  is 
supplied  with  preaching  by  the  Episcopalians,  Presby- 
terians, Baptists,  and  Methodists.  All  is  well,  if  the 
people  are  saved. 

Nov.  4.  We  had  but  few  hearers,  and  an  uncomfort- 
able time,  at  our  quarterly  meeting  in  the  Annamessex 
chapel.  Next  day  we  had  a  full  house,  and  I  preached 
on  education  ;  my  text,  "Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he 
should  go :  and  when  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it." 
After  meeting  we  rode  eighteen  miles  without  our  din- 
ner, which,  with  the  disagreeable  weather,  made  me  sick. 
Rode  twenty-five  miles  to  Broad  Creek  quarterly  meet- 
ing, and  preached  on  Matt.  10.  ^y ,  38,  and  the  next  day 
on  Hos.  6.  4 ;  it  was  a  searching  time.  We  came  off,  and 
found  the  wind  blowing  fiercely,  but  when  we  had  en- 
tered the  boat  we  had  a  sudden  calm  ;  if  this  were  not  an 
answer  to  prayer,  it  was  as  I  prayed.  I  reproved  myself 
for  a  sudden  and  violent  laugh  at  the  relation  of  a  man's 
having  given  an  old  negro  woman  her  liberty*because  she 
had  too  much  religion  for  him. 

Nov.  15.  I  see  the  wonders  of  grace,  and  have  had 
severe  conflicts.  My  soul  is  more  and  more  established 
in  God,  but  so  many  persons  and  things  occupy  my  time 
that  I  have  not  as  much  leisure  and  opportunity  for 
prayer  and  commiuiion  with  God,  and  for  drinking  into 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  life  and  love,  as  I  could  wish.  We 
had  a  seasonable  time  at  Brother  White's.  I  was  very 
pointed  on  2  Pet.  2.  9.  Perhaps  I  have  spoken  my  last 
admonition  to  some  who  were  present. 

Cokesbury  Matters 

Nov.  23.  Came  to  Cokesbury,  where  I  continued  until 
Alondav,  the  twentv-ninth.     We  then  examined  the  stu- 


3o8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1790 

dents  relatively  to  learning  and  religion,  paid  debts,  and 
put  matters  in  better  order.  We  have  forty-five  boys. 
The  charitable  subscriptions  to  the  establishment  amount 
to  £300  per  annum. 

Dec.  I.  The  Council  was  seated  in  Philip  Roger's 
chamber,  in  Baltimore.  After  some  explanation  we  all 
agreed  that  we  had  a  right  to  manage  the  temporal  con- 
cerns of  the  church  and  college  decisively,  and  to  recom- 
mend to  the  Conferences,  for  ratification,  whatever  we 
judged  might  be  advantageous  to  the  spiritual  well-being 
of  the  whole  body.  For  the  sake  of  union,  we  declined 
sending  out  any  recommendatory  propositions.  We  had 
great  peace  and  union  in  all  our  labors.  What  we  have 
done,  the  Minutes  will  show. 

Dec.  5.  I  preached  a  funeral  discourse  on  the  death 
of  Mrs.  Murray,  on  2  Cor.  15.  29-31  ;  it  was,  I  hope,  not 
altogether  in  vain.  In  the  afternoon  I  preached  in  Mr. 
Otterbein's  church.  I  have  kept  no  journal  during  the 
sitting  of  the  Council.  I  enjoy  peace  of  soul,  but  such  a 
variety  of  persons  and  subjects  agitates  my  poor  mind. 

Dec.  9.  The  Council  rose  after  advising  a  loan  of 
£1,000,  payable  in  two  years,  for  Cokesbury,  and  giving 
directions  for  proper  books  to  be  printed. 

Dec.  14.  We  hastened  to  Mrs.  Waller's,  where  we 
found  a  few  people,  to  whom  I  spoke  on  Rom.  2.  7-9. 
Finding  Tommy  (a  son  of  Mrs.  Waller's)  had  genius,  I 
gave  him  a  pass  to  Cokesbur}- :  it  may  be  that  he  may 
serve  himself,  his  family,  and  his  country.  O  that  he 
may  serve  his  God  ! 

Christmas  Day.  I  had  thirty  miles  to  Hanover. 
William  Glendenning  began  before  I  came ;  when  he  had 
done  I  went  into  the  tavern-keeper's  porch ;  but  I  after- 
ward judged  it  best  to  withdraw,  and  speak  in  another 
place.  I  stood  in  the  door  of  a  public  house,  and,  with 
about  half  of  my  congregation  out  of  doors,  preached  on, 
"Behold,  I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy."     The 


i79ij  AMONG  WEALTHY  PEOPLE  309 

people  behaved  exceedingly  well,  and  the  town  was 
very  still. 

Dec.  26.  I  had  a  large  congregation  at  Newcastle,  to 
whom  I  spoke  on.  '"I'hou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus:  for 
he  shall  save  his  people  from  their  sins."  William  Glen- 
denning  spoke  after  me ;  I  am  clear  he  is  not  right  in  his 
head  or  heart,  and  am  therefore  resolved  he  shall  speak 
no  more  at  my  appointments. 

Dec.  27.  Preached  at  Colonel  Clayton's.  The  people 
hereabouts  are  wealthy,  and  few  attend  preaching; 
nevertheless,  I  was  favored  with  their  company,  and  had 
great  liberty  and  sweetness  in  speaking  to  them ;  I  feel 
as  if  God  would  yet  work  among  them.  It  was  in  this 
neighborhood  I  was  laid  up  four  years  ago. 

Some  Dissatisfied  Brethren 

Dec.  29.  Preached  in  James  City,  crowded  with  com- 
pany. I  was  informed  of  some  painful  circumstances 
relative  to  our  dissatisfied  brethren :  I  leave  these  things 
to  God,  who  will  bring  all  things  to  light. 

Jan.  22,  1 791.  Crossed  Neuse  River,  at  Smith's 
1^'erry,  and  came  to  the  dwelling  of  the  late  General 
Hardy  Br^an,  a  man  I  had  often  heard  of,  and  wished  to 
see ;  but  death,  swift  and  sudden,  reached  the  house  be- 
fore me.  His  son  died  the  eighteenth  of  last  November ; 
his  daughter,  Mary,  December  twenty-eighth  ;  and  him- 
self, the  tenth  instant ;  each  of  them  feared  the  Lord,  and 
were  happy  souls.  I  felt  strangely  unwilling  to  believe 
the  general  was  dead,  until  I  could  no  longer  doubt  it.  At 
the  graveyard  I  had  very  solemn  feelings.  There  was 
some  melting  among  the  people  while  I  enlarged  on 
Psa.  12.  I. 

Jan.  2}^.  I  had  very  great  opening  on  1  Thess. 
4.  13,  14.  It  was  on  the  occasion  of  the  late  lamented 
deaths.  Surely  this  is  loud  j^reaching,  it  is  one  of  the 
most  awakening  scenes  of  my  life  ;  how  soon  were  these 


3IO  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1791 

dear  souls  justified,  sanctified,  and  called  home  to  glory ! 
Hail,  happy  dead !  We  toil  below,  but  hope,  ere  long, 
with  you  to  sing  God's  praise  above. 

Jan.  25.  I  preached  at  Lee's  Chapel.  There  is  a 
very  great  change  for  the  better  since  I  was  here  three 
years  ago ;  they  have  now  built  a  very  decent  house  for 
worship. 

Asbury  Under  Fire 

Feb.  2.  We  had  our  difficulties  in  getting  along  an 
unknown  path.  We  met  with  a  very  kind  man,  who  gave 
us  and  our  baggage  a  passage  on  a  broken  canoe ;  tlien 
led  us  part  of  our  way,  and  sent  a  servant  to  conduct  us 
on.  We  reached  Anderson's  about  two  o'clock,  and 
found  many  people  waiting ;  but  they  appeared  to  be 
unfeeling.  We  were  most  kindly  treated.  The  people 
are  about  to  settle  a  newly  introduced  minister ;  so  we 
may  go  off  for  a  }'ear  or  two,  and  by  that  time  the  way 
may  be  open  for  our  return.  I  am  charged  with  dreadful 
things  about  the  Council,  but  I  believe  the  Lord  will 
make  it  appear  where  the  mischief  lies. 

Feb.  17  (Charleston).  I  had  a  small  congregation  of 
whites.  I  feel  the  want  of  religion  here ;  indeed,  the 
gross  immoralities  of  the  place  are  obvious  to  every 
passenger  in  the  streets.  I  learn  that  in  Georgia  preach- 
ers of  other  denominations  have  had  high  disputes  with 
ours.  I  am  clear  that  controversy  should  be  avoided ; 
because  we  have  better  work  to  do,  and  because  it  is  too 
common  that  when  debates  run  high  there  are  wrong 
words  and  tempers  indulged  on  both  sides. 

Feb.  20.  I  read  prayers  in  the  morning,  and  Brother 
Ellis  preached.  In  the  afternoon  Brother  Askew 
preached  his  farew^ell  sermon ;  and  at  night  I  was  very 
pointed  to  young  people,  on,  "Remember  now  thy  Cre- 
ator in  the  days  of  thy  youth,"  etc. 

Feb.   2;^.     Long-looked-for  Dr.   Coke  came  to  town ; 


i79i]  A  CANADIAN  CIRCUIT  311 

he  had  been  shipwrecked  off  Edisto.  I  found  the  doc- 
tor's sentiments,  with  rej^ard  to  the  Council,  quite 
changed.  James  ( )'Ivelly's  letters  had  reached  London. 
I  felt  perfectly  calm,  and  acceded  to  a  General  Confer- 
ence, for  the  sake  of  peace. 

The  meeting  between  the  two  bishops  was  ijot  very  cordial, 
their  relations  seemingly  being  somewhat  strained.  Dr.  Coke, 
probably  at  the  suggestion  of.  Wesley,  had  come  to  America  to 
put  a  speedy  end  to  the  Council,  which  had  aroused  so  much 
opposition. 

Feb.  27.  Dr.  Coke  preached  to  a  very  large  audience 
in  the  evening;  the  poor  sinners  appeared  to  be  a  little 
tamed.  I  was  much  blessed  in  meeting  the  married  and 
single  men  apart.  I  also  met  the  married  and  single 
women.  I  trust  there  has  been  good  done  in  Charleston 
this  Conference. 

This  was  the  first  Conference  of  the  year.  Twelve  others 
were  held:  In  Georgia,  February  i6;  in  North  Carolina,  April 
2;  at  Petersburg,  Virginia,  April  20;  at  Hanover,  April  26; 
Alexandria,  District  of  Columbia,  May  2;  Baltimore,  May  6; 
Duck  Creek,  May  13;  Philadelphia,  May  r8;  New  York,  May 
26;  in  Connecticut,  July  23;  Uniontown,  July  28,  and  Albany, 
August  23.  In  the  Minutes  of  this  year  there  appears  the  first 
notice  of  a  circuit  in  Canada. 

People  Want  to  Choose  Their  Preachers 

M.VR.  I.  At  night  I  made  my  last  efifort  for  this  time, 
and  the  people  were  more  attentive.  I  let  out  freely 
against  the  races.  I  am  somewhat  distressed  at  the  un- 
easiness of  our  people,  who  claim  a  right  to  choose  their 
own  preachers,  a  thing  quite  new  among  Methodists. 
None  but  Mr.  Hammett  will  do  for  them.  We  shall  see 
how  it  will  end. 

Feb.  16.  Dr.  Coke  came  in  time  enough  to  preach; 
and  then  we  opened  a  Conference.  We  sat  very  closely 
to  our  work,  and  had  some  matters  of  moment  to  attend 
to  in  the  course  of  our  deliberations.  I  have  ridden 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  in  Georgia,  and  find 


312  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [179 1 

the  work,  in  general,  very  dead.  The  peace  with  the 
Creek  Indians,  the  settlement  of  new  lands,  good  trade, 
buying  slaves,  etc.,  take  up  the  attention  of  the  people. 

Feb.  26.  We  had  white  and  red  Indians  at  Catawba ; 
the  doctor  and  myself  both  preached.  I  had  some  con- 
versation with  the  chiefs  of  the  Indians  about  keeping 
up  the  school  we  have  been  endeavoring  to  establish 
among  them.  I  asked  for  one  of  their  children  ;  but  the 
father  would  not  give  consent,  nor  would  the  child  come. 

Apr.  2.  We  opened  Conference  at  ]^Ic Knight's 
(North  Carolina)  in  great  peace.  Many  of  the  preach- 
ers related  their  experience,  and  it  was  a  blessed  season 
of  grace. 

Apr.  4.  We  rose,  after  sitting  each  night  (Sabbath 
excepted)  until  twelve  o'clock.  Several  of  our  brethren 
expressed  something  like  the  perfect  love  of  God,  but 
they  had  doubts  about  their  having  retained  it. 

Apr.  10.  Dr.  Coke  and  myself  both  preached  at  Wat- 
son's Church  (A'irginia),  and  there  was  some  little  effect 
produced.  I  spent  the  evening  with  George  Adams,  a 
true  son  of  his  worthy  father,  Silvanus  Adams,  for  kind- 
ness to  the  preachers. 

The  Original  "Difficult"  Church 

Apr.  13.  Came  to  Difficult  Church,  where  we  were 
honored  with  the  company  of  some  of  the  great.  The 
doctor  preached  a  noble  sermon  on  the  divinity  of  Christ ; 
and  I  urged,  "It  is  time  to  seek  the  Lord."  Afterward 
we  preached  in  Charlotte  and  Mecklenburg ;  and  on  Sun- 
day following  came  to  quarterly  meeting  at  Sister  Walk- 
er's, in  Brunswick.  Dr.  Coke  went  to  the  barn,  and  I 
preached  in  the  house. 

Apr.  18.  Near  Dinwiddle  Courthouse  I  waited,  it  be- 
ing the  day  of  the  election,  until  our  brethren  returned 
from  the  courthouse,  and  then  preached  in  the  new 
church  on  2  Cor.  6.  17,  18. 


1791]  JOHN  WESLEY  313 

Apr.  19.  We  rode  to  Petersburg.  We  agreed  to  take 
different  lodgings  during  the  sitting  of  the  Conference, 
the  doctor  at  Brother  Davis's,  and  myself  at  Brother 
Harding's. 

Apr.  20.  I  preached  on,  "Our  light  afflictions  which 
are  but  for  a  moment,"  etc.,  and  there  was  some  warmth 
among  the  preachers  and  the  people.  The  business  of 
our  Conference  was  brovight  on  in  peace,  and  there  was  a 
blessing  attended  our  speaking  on  our  experiences,  and 
in  prayer.  The  affair  of  the  Council  was  suspended  until 
a  general  Conference. 

Apr.  25.  Dr.  Coke  and  Brother  Ira  Ellis  preached ; 
and  there  was  some  power  attended  the  Word.  I  found 
the  doctor  had  much  changed  his  sentiments  since  his 
last  visit  to  this  continent ;  and  that  these  impressions  still 
continued.  I  hope  to  be  enabled  to  give  up  all  I  dare  for 
the  sake  of  peace,  and  to  please  all  men  for  their  good 
to  edification,  that  the  cause  may  be  prospered. 

Death  of  Wesley 

Apr.  29.  The  solemn  news  reached  our  ears  that  the 
public  papers  had  announced  the  death  of  that  dear  man 
of  God,  Jolin  Wesley.  He  died  in  his  own  house  in 
London,  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  after 
preaching  the  gospel  sixty-four  years.  When  we  con- 
sider his  plain  and  nervous  writings ;  his  uncommon  tal- 
ent for  sermonizing  and  journalizing;  that  he  had  such 
a  steady  flow  of  animal  spirits ;  so  much  of  the  spirit  of 
government  in  him ;  his  knowledge  as  an  observer ;  his 
attainments  as  a  scholar ;  his  experience  as  a  Christian — 
I  conclude,  his  equal  is  not  to  be  found  among  all  the 
sons  he  hath  brought  up,  nor  his  superior  among  all  the 
sons  of  Adam  he  may  have  left  behind.  Brother  Coke 
was  sunk  in  spirit,  and  wished  to  hasten  home  immedi- 
ately. For  myself,  noth withstanding  my  long  absence 
from    Mr.    Wesley,   and    a    few    unpleasant    expressions 


314 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1791 


in    some    of    the    letters    the    dear    old    man    has    writ- 
ten    to    me       (occasioned     by     the     misrepresentations 


JOHN    WESLEY. 


of  others),  I  feel  the  stroke  most  sensibly;  and, 
I  expect,  I  shall  never  read  his  works  without  re- 
flecting on  the  loss  which  the  church  of  God  and  the 


i79i]     COKE'S  INDISCREET  UTTERANCES       315 

world  has  sustainc<l  by  his  death.  Dr.  Coke  set  out  for 
Baltimore  in  order  to  get  the  most  speedy  passage  to 
England ;  leaving  me  to  fill  the  appointments.  I  had  a 
large  congregation  at  Sister  Bom]jry"s.  In  the  afternoon 
I  rode  to  Sister  Waller's,  making  a  journey  of  forty 
miles  for  this  da\-.  Next  day  I  overtook  Dr.  Coke  and 
his  company  at  Colchester.  r>rothcr  Cox's  horse  being 
sick,  I  put  my  old  horse  in  his  place  to  carry  them  to 
Alexandria,  where  we  arrived  about  three  o'clock,  after 
riding  forty  miles  by  our  reckoning.  At  Alexandria 
Dr.  Coke  had  certain  information  of  Mr.  Wesley's  death. 
On  Sabbath  day  he  reached  Baltimore,  and  preached  on 
the  occasion  of  Mr.  Wesley's  death,  and  mentioned  some 
things  which  gave  offense. 

Coke  indiscreetly  asserted  that  Mr.  "Wesley's  death  had  doubt- 
less been  hastened  by  the  preachers  leaving  his  name  off  the 
Minutes  and  repealing  the  celebrated  resolution.  This  asser- 
tion was  in  no  wise  warranted. 

May  5.  This  day  and  the  two  following  days  we  held 
Conference  in  Baltimore,  and  great  love  and  sweetness 
prevailed  throughout  the  sitting.  I  preached  to  a  large 
congregation  on  the  Sabbath,  and  we  had  a  gracious 
time. 

May  9.  Came  to  Col-cesbury.  I  found  there  was  a  vast 
demand  for  money  for  the  establishment,  there  having 
been  an  expenditure  of  £700  in  five  months. 

May  13.  Our  Conference  began  at  Duck  Creek,  and 
was  conducted  in  much  peace  and  harmony  among 
preachers  and  people.  ( )ur  'meetings  in  pulilic  were  at- 
tended with  great  power. 

May  16.  I  rode  to  Newcastle,  Pennsylvania,  and  had 
the  last  interview  with  Dr.  Coke. 


When  Dr.  Coke  reached  England  he  found  that  he 
was  under  suspicion  respecting  the  purity  of  his  motives 
in  hastening  from  his  work  in  America.    As  showing  how 


3i6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1791 

friendly  Bishop  Asbury  felt  toward  him  and  also  the 
glimpse  it  affords  of  Asbury's  work  and  feelings  the  fol- 
lowing letter  which  Coke  received  from  Asbury  some 
time  after  his  arrival  in  England  is  interesting: 

"If  yet  in  time,  this  brings  greeting.  Rejoice  with  me 
that  the  last  has  been  a  year  of  general  blessing  to  the 
church  of  God  in  this  wilderness.  We  humbly  hope  two 
thousand  souls  were  born  of  God,  one  of  which  is  well 
ascertained  in  Jersey  and  York.  East,  west,  north,  and 
south  the  glory  of  God  spreads. 

"I  have  served  the  church  upward  of  twenty-five  years 
in  Europe  and  America.  All  the  property  I  have  gained 
is  two  old  horses,  the  constant  companions  of  my  toil, 
six  if  not  seven  thousand  miles  every  year.  When  we 
have  no  ferryboats,  they  swim  the  rivers.  As  to  clothing, 
I  am  nearly  the  same  as  at  the  first ;  neither  have  I  silver 
nor  gold,  nor  any  property.  My  confidential  friends 
know  that  I  lie  not  in  this  matter.  I  am  resolved  not  to 
claim  any  property  in  the  Book  Concern.  Increase  as 
it  may,  it  will  be  sacred  to  invalid  preachers,  the  college, 
and  the  schools.  I  would  not  have  my  name  mentioned 
as  doing,  having,  or  being  anything  but  dust. 

"1  soar,  indeed,  but  it  is  over  the  tops  of  the  highest 
mountains  we  have,  which  may  vie  with  the  Alps.  I 
creep  sometimes  upon  my  hands  and  knees  up  the  slip- 
pery ascent ;  and  to  serve  the  church  and  the  ministers 
of  it,  what  I  gain  is  many  a  reflection  from  both  sides  of 
the  Atlantic.  I  have  lived  long  enough  to  be  loved  and 
hated,  to  be  admired  and   feared. 

"If  it  were  not  for  the  suspicions  of  some,  and  the  pride 
and  ignorance  of  others,  I  am  of  opinion  I  could  make 
provision,  by  collections,  profits  on  books,  and  donations 
in  land,  to  take  two  thousand  children  under  the  best  plan 
of  education  ever  known  in  this  country.  The  Lord 
begins  to  smile  on  our  Kingswood  school.  One  prom- 
ising young  man  is  gone   forth,  another  is   ready,  and 


i79i]     CONFERENCE  AT  PHILADELPHIA        317 

several  have  been  under  awakeninf^s.  None  so  healthy 
and  orderly  as  our  children  ;  and  some  promise  great  tal- 
lents  for  learning.  The  obstinate  and  ignorant  oppose, 
among  i)reachers  and  people,  while  the  judicious  for  good 
sense  and  piety,  in  church  and  state,  admire  and  applaud. 
I  am,  with  most  dutiful  respect,  as  ever"  your  son  in  the 
gospel." 

May  17.  Arrived  in  Philadelphia,  and  opened  Confer- 
ence. We  had  a  tender,  melting  account  of  the  dealings 
of  God  with  many  souls ;  and  settled  our  business  in  much 
peace.  Mr.  Hammett  came  from  Charleston  with  a  won- 
derful list  of  petitioners  desiring  his  return ;  to  this,  as 
far  as  I  had  to  say,  I  submitted  ;  but  I  see  and  hear  many 
things  that  might  wound  my  spirit  if  it  were  not  that  the 
Lord  bears  me  up  above  all. 

Preaches  on  Wesley's  Death 

]\L\Y  26.  Our  Conference  came  together  in  great 
peace  and  love.  Our  ordinary  business  was  enlivened 
by  the  relation  of  experiences,  and  by  profitable  observa- 
tions on  the  work  of  God.  Nothing  would  satisfy  the 
Conference  and  the  society  but  my  consenting  to  preach 
on  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Wesley's  death,  which  I  did  on 
Sunday,  May  29;  my  text  was  2  Tim.  3.  10,  11.  I  took 
the  same  subject  at  the  old  church  in  the  morning,  and 
in  the  afternoon  at  the  new  church,  varying,  ])ut  retain- 
ing the  substance. 

May  30.  Our  Conference  rose,  and  after  love  feast  the 
preachers  dispersed.  We  had  had  about  thirty  preachers 
at  this  Conference,  and  not  a  frown,  a  sign  of  sour  tem- 
per, or  an  unkind  word  was  seen  or  heard  among  us. 
Mr.  Hammett's  preaching  was  not  well  received  ;  it  was 
supposed  to  be  aimed  at  our  zealous  men  and  passionate 
meetings.  At  the  new  church  his  preaching  was  still 
more  exceptionable  to  those  judicious  persons  who  heard 


3i8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1791 

him.     I  expect  some  things  will  be  retailed  to  my  disad- 
vantage.    Be  it  so ;  I  trust  the  Lord. 

Through  New  England 

June  4  (Connecticut).  1  rode  over  rocks  and  hills, 
and  came  to  Wilton ;  preached  to  a  serious,  feeling,  well- 
behaved  people.  In  the  evening  I  went  on  to  Reading. 
Surely  God  will  work  powerfully  among  these  people, 
and  save  thousands  of  them.  We  have  traveled  about 
twenty-four  miles  this  day  over  very  rough  roads ;  the 
weather  is  cold  for  the  season  ;  my  horse  is  very  small, 
and  my  carriage  is  inconvenient  in  such  rocky,  uneven, 
jolting  way.  This  country  is  very  hilly  and  open — not 
unlike  that  about  the  Peak  of  Derbyshire.  I  feel  faith 
to  believe  that  this  visit  to  New  England  will  be  blessed 
to  my  own  soul,  and  the  souls  of  others.  We  are  now 
in  Connecticut,  and  never  out  of  sight  of  a  house ;  and 
sometimes  we  have  a  view  of  many  churches  and 
steeples,  built  very  neatly  of  wood — either  for  use,  orna- 
ment, piety,  policy,  or  interest,  or  it  may  be  some  of  all 
these.  I  do  feel  as  if  there  had  been  religion  in  this 
country  once ;  and  I  apprehend  there  is  a  little  in  form 
and  theory  left.  There  may  have  been  a  praying  min- 
istry and  people  here,  but  I  fear  they  are  now  spiritually 
dead,  and  am  persuaded  that  family  and  private  prayer 
is  very  little  practiced. 

This  was  Asbury's  first  episcopal  tour  of  New  England.  He 
had  been  in  America  twenty  years,  and  during  these  years  his 
work  much  of  the  time  had  been  among  frontier  peoples. 
Much  of  his  field  was  new,  and  the  houses  were  uncomely  cabins, 
but  now  he  found  himself  where  he  was  never  out  of  sight  of 
a  new  house  and  rarely  out  of  sight  of  a  church. 

June  5.    About  ten  o'clock  we  assembled  in  a  barn  at 

Reading,  where  we  had,  perhaps,  three  hundred  serious, 

attentive  people  to  hear;  my  subject  was,  Eph.  2.  8,  9. 

T  felt  freedom,  and  the  truth  came  clearly  to  my  mind. 


1791]  SICK  AND  WEARY  319 

Rode  in  the  evenini;-  twelve  miles  over  rocks  and  uneven 
roads  to  Newtown.  1  found  multitudes  of  people  in  a 
Presbyterian  meetinghouse,  many  of  whom  appeared 
wild  in  their  behavior,  the  young  laughing  and  i)laying 
in  the  galleries ;  and  the  aged  below  seemed  to  be  heavy 
and  lifeless.  I  was  sick  and  weary ;  nevertheless,  I  at- 
tempted to  preach  on  Acts  5.  31,  32,  and  endeavored  to 
enlarge  on,  i.  The  humiliation  of  Christ;  2.  His  exalta- 
tion in  his  resurrection,  ascension,  glory,  Head  of  the 
Church,  a  Prince  to  give  repentance  and  pardon  to  rebels. 
June  7.  We  came  to  Stratford,  good  news!  they 
have  voted  that  the  townhouse  shall  be  shut :  well,  where 
shall  we  preach  ?  Some  of  the  selectmen,  one  at  least, 
granted  access.  I  felt  unwilling  to  go,  as  it  is  always 
my  way  not  to  push  myself  into  any  public  house.  We 
had  close  work  on  Isa.  55.  6,  7.  Some  smiled,  some 
laughed,  some  swore,  some  talked,  some  prayed,  some 
wept ;  had  it  been  a  house  of  our  own,  I  should 
not  have  been  surprised  had  the  windows  been  broken. 
I  refused  to  preach  there  any  more ;  and  it  was  well 
I  did ;  tw'o  of  the  esquires  were  quite  displeased 
at  our  admittance.  We  met  the  class,  and  found  some 
gracious  souls.  The  Methodists  have  a  society  consist- 
ing of  twenty  members,  some  of  them  converted ;  but 
they  have  no  house  of  worship.  They  may  now  make 
a  benefit  of  a  calamity ;  being  denied  the  use  of  other 
houses  they  wdll  the  more  earnestly  labor  to  get  one 
of  their  own.  The  Presbyterians  and  the  Episcopalians 
have  each  one,  and  both  are  elegant  buildings. 

A  Cold  Reception  in  New  Haven,  Conn. 

June  9.  Came  to  New  Haven,  and  found  my  appoint- 
ment to  preach  had  been  published  in  the  newspapers. 
Everything  was  quiet.  We  called  on  the  sheriff;  he 
w^as  absent.  We  then  put  up  our  horses  at  the  Ball 
tavern,  near  the  college  yard.     I  had  the  honor  of  Pres- 


320  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1791 

ident  Stiles  and  Dr.  Wales  (Professor  of  Divinity)  to 
hear  me,  and  several  of  the  collegians,  with  a  few  scat- 
tering citizens.  I  talked  away  to  them  very  fast,  telling 
them  some  little  stories,  while  the  sun  shone  full  in  my 
face.  The  judges  looked  very  grave  while  I  endeav- 
ored to  show :  I.  What  we  must  be  saved  from ;  2.  What 
has  been  esteemed  by  the  men  of  the  world  as  the  wis- 
dom of  preaching ;  3.  What  is  meant  by  the  foolishness 
of  preaching.  When  I  had  done,  no  man  spoke  to  me. 
I  thought  to-day  of  dear  Mr.  Whitefield's  words  to  Mr. 
Boardman  and  Mr.  Pilmoor  at  their  first  coming  over  to 
America :  "Ah !"  said  he,  "if  ye  were  Calvinists,  ye  would 
take  the  country  before  ye."  We  visited  the  college 
chapel  at  the  hour  of  prayer ;  I  wished  to  go  through  the 
whole,  to  inspect  the  interior  arrangements,  but  no  one 
invited  me.  The  divines  were  grave,  and  the  students 
were  attentive ;  they  used  me  like  a  fellow  Christian,  in 
coming  to  hear  me  preach,  and  like  a  stranger  in  other 
respects.  Should  Cokesbury  or  Baltimore  ever  furnish 
the  opportunity,  I,  in  my  turn,  will  requite  their  behavior, 
by  treating  them  as  friends,  brethren,  and  gentlemen. 

"Could  the  bishop  have  foreseen,"  said  Henry  Boehm  many 
years  later,  "the  growth  of  that  noble  institution,  the  Wesleyan 
University,  which  has  been  such  a  blessing  to  our  church,  how 
would  his  great  soul  have  thanked  God  and  taken  courage." 

The  difficulty  I  met  with  in  New  Haven  for  lodging, 
and  for  a  place  to  hold  meeting,  made  me  feel  and  know 
the  worth  of  Methodists  more  than  ever.  I  am  reminded 
of  England  in  traveling  here ;  this  country  more  resem- 
bles my  own  than  any  I  have  yet  seen  on  this  side  the 
Atlantic. 

June  T2.  Came  in  haste  to  Middletown,  where  the 
committee  favored  me  with  the  meetinghouse  belonging 
to  the  standing  order.  I  felt  exceedingly  low  in  body, 
while  I  spoke  to  a  very  large,  serious,  and  attentive  con- 
gregation, and  I  had  liberty  in  preaching  on  i  John  3.  23. 


i79i]  LODGES   WITH  A  BAPTIST  321 

June  13.  Rode  to  Haddam,  where  David  IJraincrd 
was  born.  We  came  tlironi;ii  dreadful  rocky  ways  to 
Captain  Lee's;  a  Congregational  minister  had  just  fin- 
ished his  sermon  as  we  came  in.  As  we  did  not  wish  to 
force  ourselves  on  anyone,  we  went  forward  to  Lime,  and 
found  a  free,  open-hearted  Baptist  minister,  who  rose 
from  his  bed  and  received  us  kindly. 

Through  Rhode  Island 

June  16  (Rhode  Island).  Came  to  Newport;  the 
roads  were  comparatively  good,  the  ferry  three  miles 
wide ;  which,  however,  we  safely  crossed  in  a  spacious 
open  boat,  excellent  in  its  kind.  In  Newport  are  two 
Presbyterian  meetinghouses — one.  New  Divinity,  so 
called ;  three  others,  regular  Baptists,  New  Lights,  and 
Sabbatarians;  one  Friends'  meeting,  and  one  Episcopal 
church..  We  stayed  two  nights  at  our  kind  friend's, 
Brother  Green,  a  New-Light  Baptist.  I  lectured  the  sec- 
ond night  from  Isa.  64.  1-7;  there  was  some  life  among 
the  people,  although  it  was  late,  and  the  congregation 
like  our  Lord's  disciples  before  his  passion.  There  is 
also  a  Jews'  synagogue,  and  a  Moravian  chapel.  I  ex- 
pect before  many  years  the  Methodists  will  also  have  a 
house   for  worship  here. 

June  19.  Came  to  Providence.  In  the  evening  I 
preached  with  some  life,  on  Isa.  61.  1-3.  There  are  Pres- 
byterians, Episcopalians,  Indejjendents  or  Congregation- 
alists  here ;  but  the  Baptists  appear  to  be  the  leading 
people.     I  found  a  few  gracious  souls,  and  some  seeking. 

Some  Reminiscences 

June  20.  I  visited  some  serious  families  that  truly 
love  and  fear  God.  The  afternoon  I  spent  very  agreeably 
with  the  old  prophet  Mr.  Snow,  aged  about  seventy 
years :  he  was  awakened  by  the  instrumentality  of  Gil- 
bert Tennant,  whose  memorv  I  revere.    He  told  me  much 


322  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1791 

about  Mr.  Whitefield,  and  old  times,  and  of  the  ministers 
of  old  times ;  of  himself,  his  awakening,  and  conversion 
to  God ;  of  his  riding  thirty  miles  to  Newport,  in  exceed- 
ing cold  weather,  to  bring  Mr.  Tennant  to  Providence. 
Having  obtained  more  knowledge  of  the  people,  my  sub- 

A  PLAN 


OF    THE 


SOCIETY 


FOR       THE 


Eftablifliment  of  Miffions  among  theHeathens. 

I..  TT>VERY  Perfon  who  fubfcribes  Two  Guineas  yearly,  or  more,  is  to  be  admitted  a  Member 
P-  of  the  Society. 

II.  A  General  Meeting  of  the  Subfcribers  (hall  be  held  annually,  onthe  laft  Tuefday  in  January. 

III.  Theflrft  General  Meeting  fliall  be  held  on  the  lall  Tuefday  in  January,  1784,  at  No.  n, 
in  Weft-ftreet,  near  the  Seven  Dials,  London,  at  Three  o'Glock  in  the  Afternoon. 

IV.  At  every  General  Meeting  a  Committee  of  Seven,  or  more,  (hall  be  chofen  by  the.  Majority 
of  the  Subfcribers,  to  tranfa£t  the  Bufinefs  of  the  Society  for  the  enfuing  Year. 

V.  The  General  Meeting  fhall  receive  and  examine  the  Accounts  of  the  Committee  for  the  pre- 
ceding Year,  of  all  Sums  paid  to  the  Ufe  of  the  Society,  of  the  Purpofes  to  which  the  Whole,  01 
any  Tart  thereof,  fliall  have  been  applied,  and  alfo  the  Report  of  all  they  have  done,  and  the  Advices 
they  have  received. 

VI.  The  Committee,  or  the  Majority  of  them,  (hall  have  Power,  Firft,  To  call  in  the  Sums 
fubfcrlbed,  or  ahy  Part  thereof,  and  to  receive  all  Collections,  Legacies,  or  other  voluntary 
Contributions.  Sccondlv,  To  agree  with  any  they  fhall  approve,  who  may  offer  to  go  abroad,  either 
as  Miffionaries,  or  in  any  Civil  Emiiloyment.  Thirdly,  To  procure  the  bed  Inftruftion  which  can 
be  obtained  for  fuch  Perfons,  in  the'Language  of  the  Country  for  which  they  are  intended,  before 
they  go  abroad.  Fourthly,  to  provide  for  their  Expcnces,  in  going  and  continuing  abroad,  and 
for  their  return  Home,  after  fuch  Time,  and  under  luch  Circumftances,  as  may  be  thought  mcft 
expedient.  Fifthly,  To  print  the  Scriptures,  or  fo  much  thereof,  as  the  Funds  of  the  Society  may 
admit,  for  the  Ufe  of  any  Heathen  Country.  And,  Sixthly,  to  do  every  other  Aft  which  to  thetn 
may  appear  neceffary,  fo  far  as  the  common  Stock  of  the  Society  will  allow,  for  carrying  the  Defign 
of  the  Society  into  Execution. 

Vn.  The  Committee  fliall  keep  an  Account  of  the  Subfcribers  Names,  and  all  Sums  received 
for  the  Ufe  of  the  Society,  together  with  fuch  Extrads  of  the  Entries  of  their  Proceedings  and 
Advices,  as  may  fliew  thofe  who  are  concerned,  all  that  has  been  done  both  at  Home  and  Abroad: 
which  State  fliall  be  figncd  by  at  Icaft  Three  of  the  Committee. 

Vin.  The  Committee  for  the  New  Year  fliall  fend  a  Copy  of  the  Report  for  the  paftTejr,  to 
all  the  Members  of  the  Society  who  were  not  prefent  at  the  preceding  General  Meeting,  and  (free 
of  Portage)  to  every  Clergyman,  Minifter,  or  other  Perfon,  from  tvhom  any  Collcftion,  Legacy, 
or  other  Benefaftion,  fliall  haVe  been  received,  within  the  Time  concerning  which  the  Report  is 
made. 

DR.    coke's   first    plan    OF    MISSIONS.    1784    (a). 

ject  was  (jal.  6.  14,  plain  and  pointed;  my  audience  was 
serious  and  attentive.  I  endeavored  to  show:  i.  What 
is  it  for  a  man  to  glory  in  a  thing ;  2.  What  men  glory  in, 
which  is  not  the  cross  of  Christ ;  3.  What  it  is  to  glory  in 
the  cross  of  Christ ;  4.  How  a  person  may  know  when  he 


ijgi] 


PLAN  OF  MISSIONS  323 


g-lories  in  the  cross  of  Christ,  namely,  by  the  world's 
being  crucified  to  him,  and  he  unto  the  world.     Amen. 

In  Massachusetts 
June  2^  (Massachusetts).     We  rode  through  dust  and 

IX.  The  Committee,  if  they  feeit  neceffary,  Cull  have  Power  to  choofe  a  Secretary. 

X.  The  Committee  (hall  at  no  Time  have  any  Claim  on  the  Members  of  the  Society,  for  any 
Sum  which  may  exceed  the  common  Stock  of  the  Society. 

N.  B.  Thofc  who  fubfcribe  before  the  firft  General  Meeting,  and  to  whom  it  may  not  be  con- 
venient to  attend,  are  defited  to  favcur  the  General  Meeting  by  Letter  (according  to  the  above 
Dircftion)  with  any  imporunt  Remarks  which  may  occur  to  them  on  the  Bufmcrs,  that  the  Sub- 
fcribers  ptefent  may  be  affifted  as  fat  as  polTiUle,  in  fettling  the  Rules  of  the  Society  to  the  Salis- 
fa^on  of  all  concerned. 

Wc  have   been   already   favoured  with  the   Names  of  the  following 

Subfcrlbers,  viz. 

£.   s.    a.  ■           £.   J.    a 

DR.  COKE,                            %    1    o  Mils  Eliza  Johnfon,  of  Briftol,       a    i    o 

Rev.Mr.Simpfon,Maccle5-"l  Mr.  Barton,  of  the  Ifle  of  Wight,  2     i     o 

field            -                     j  Mr.  Henry  Brooke,  of  Dublin,      220 

Rev.  Mr.  Bickerftaff,  of  Leicefter,  210  Mafter  and  Mifs  Blafhford,  of  do.  4    4    o 

Mr.  Rofe,  of  Dorking,                   220  Mrs.  Kirfcover,  of  ditto,                 220 

Mr.  Horton,  of  London,                220  Mr.  Smith,  RulBa  Merchant,  of! 

Mr.  Ryley,  of  ditto                        220  London,                                   |5     5    » 

Mr.  Riddfdale,  of  ditto                  220  Mr.  D'Olicr,  of  Dublin,                220 

Mr.  Jay,  of  ditto,                           2     a     o  Mrs.  Smyth,  of  ditto,                     220 

Mr.  Dewey,  of  ditto,                      220  ThcRev.Mr.  Fletcher,ofMadeley,  2    2    o 

Mr.  Mandell,  of  Bath,                   220  Mifs  Salmon,                 -                220 

Mr.  Jaques,  of  Wallingford,         220  Mr.  Houlton.  of  LonHop,  an! 

Mr.  Baitine,  of  High  Wirkh^m     220  occaficmal  Subfcrler,              f 

Mr.  John  Clarkr,  of  Newport,  in.  1  Mn.  Xing,  of  Dublin,                   22a 

lie  Me  of  Wight,  U-V^-  "JTirr 

To  all  the  Real  Lovers  of  Mankind 

THE  prefent  Inflitution  is  fo  agreeable  to  the  fined  Feelings  of  Piety  and  Benevolence,  that  little 
need  be  added  for  its  Recommendation.  The  Candid,  of  every  Denomination,  (even  thofc 
who  are  entirely  unconnefted  with  the  Methodifts,  and  are  determined  fo  to  be)  will  acknowledge 
the  amazing  Change,  which  our  Preaching  has  wrought  upon  the  Ignorant  and  uncivilized  at  lead 
throughout  tbcfc  Nations;  and  they  will  admit  that  the  Spirit  of  a  Miffionary  mull  be  of  themoft 
zealous,  moll  devoted,  and  fclf-denying  Kind  :  nor  is  any  thing  more  required  to  conflitute  a 
Mlluonarj'  for  the  Heathen  Nations,  than  good  Senfc,  Integrity,  great  Piety,  and  amazing  Zeal.- 
Men,  jxiflclTing  all  thefe  Qualifications  in  a  high  Degree,  we  have  among  us,  and  1  doubt  not  bilit 
ibme  ot  thefe  will  accept  of  the  arduous  Undertnking,  not  counting  their  Lives  dear,  if  they  may  but 
promote  the  Kingdom  of  Chrift,  and  the  prefent  and  eternal  Welfare  of  their  Fellow  Creatures  : 
And  wc  rruft,  nothing  (hall  be  wanting,  as  far  as  Time,  Strength,  and  Abilities,  will  admit,  to  give 
the  fuUcft  and  highell  Satisftfiion  to  the  Promoters  of  the  Plan,  on  the  part  of 
Your  devoted  Servants, 

THOMAS  COKE, 
THOMAS  PARKER. 

Thofe  who  arc  willing  to  promote  the  Inftitution,  are  defired  to  fend  their  Names,  Places  of  Abode, 
and  Sums  fubfcribed,  to  the  Rev,  Dr.  Coke,  in  London,  or  Thomas  Parker,  Efq.  Barriflcr  at  Law, 
in  York. 

DR.    coke's    first    PL.\N   OF    MISSIONS,    1784    (b). 

heat  to  Boston.  I  felt  much  pressed  in  spirit,  as  if  the 
door  was  not  open.  As  it  was  court  time  we  were  put  to 
some  difficulty  in  getting  entertainment.  It  was  ap- 
pointed for  me  to  preach  at  Murray's  Church,  not  at  all 
pleasing  to  me;  and  that  which  made  it  worse  was  that 


324  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1791 

I  had  only  about  twenty  or  thirty  people  to  preach  to 
in  a  large  house.  It  appeared  to  me  that  those  who  pro- 
fessed friendship  for  us  were  ashamed  to  publish  us. 
On  Friday  evening  I  preached  again ;  my  congregation 
was  somewhat  larger,  owing,  perhaps,  to  the  loudness  of 
my  voice.  My  subject  was  Rev.  3.  17,  18.  I  was  dis- 
turbed, and  not  at  liberty,  although  I  sought  it.  I  have 
done  with  Boston  until  we  can  obtain  a  lodging,  a  house 
to  preach  in,  and  some  to  join  us.  Some  things  here  are 
to  be  admired  in  the  place  and  among  the  people ;  their 
bridges  are  great  works,  and  none  are  ashamed  of  labor ; 
of  their  hospitality  I  cannot  boast :  in  Charleston,  wicked 
Charleston,  six  years  ago,  a  stranger,  I  was  kindly  in- 
vited to  eat  and  drink  by  many,  here  by  none.  There 
are,  I  think,  nine  meetinghouses  of  the  Establishment ; 
Friends"  meetinghouse,  one ;  Sandemanians,  one ;  Uni- 
versalists,  one ;  Roman  Catholics,  one ;  Baptists,  two ; 
Episcopalians,  two;  the  Methodists  have  no  house,  but 
their  time  may  come.  I  preached  at  Slade's  tavern  on  my 
way  to  Lynn,  on,  "If  our  Gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them 
that  are  lost."  I  was  agreeably  surprised  to  find  a  house 
raised  for  the  Methodists.  As  a  town,  I  think  Lynn  the 
perfection  of  beauty ;  it  is  seated  on  a  plain,  under  a  range 
of  craggy  hills,  and  open  to  the  sea ;  there  is  a  promis- 
ing society,  an  exceedingly  wcll-1)ehaved  congregation. 
These  things,  doubtless,  made  all  pleasing  to  me.  My 
first  subject  was  Rom.  8.  33,  in  the  afternoon  Acts  4.  12. 
Here  we  shall  make  a  firm  stand,  and  from  this  central 
point,  from  Lynn,  shall  the  light  of  Methodism  and  of 
truth  radiate  through  the  state. 

June  29.  Rode  to  Salem.  Here  are  five  meeting- 
houses, two  of  them  on  the  New  Divinity  plan — that  is, 
regeneration  the  first  work — no  prayer,  repentance,  or 
faith  until  this  is  accomplished  ;  the  other  three  belong 
to  the  Establishment,  one  Episcopalian,  and  one  Friends' 
meetinghouse.     I  found  no  access  to  any.     I  lectured  in 


i79i]  CALVARY  OF  THE  WITCHES  325 

the  courthouse,  on  Rom.  5.  6-9.  I  looked  upon  the 
greater  part  of  my  congregation  as  judges;  and  I  talked 
until  they,  l)ecoming  weary,  began  to  leave  me.  1  have 
clone  with  .Salem  until  we  can  get  a  better  stand.  I  had 
the  curiosity  to  visit  the  calvary  of  the  witches — that  is, 
those  who  were  destroyed  on  the  charge  of  witchcraft. 
I  saw  the  graves  of  many  innocent,  good  people,  who 
were  put  to  death,  suffering  persecution  from  those  who 
had  suffered  persecution ;  such  and  so  strangely  con- 
tradictory is  man.  I  am  now  convinced  that  the  Metho- 
dists, as  a  body,  have  the  most  religion,  and  am  more  and 
more  confirmed  in  my  choice. 

Plan  for  a  Delegated  General  Conference 

July  7.  This  day  Brother  Jesse  Lee  put  a  paper  into 
my  hand,  proposing  the  election  of  not  less  than  two,  nor 
more  than  four,  preachers  from  each  Conference,  to  form 
a  General  Conference  in  Baltimore,  in  December,  1792, 
to  be  continued  annually. 

July  13.  We  came  through  Waltham,  Sudbury,  and 
Marlboro.  At  this  last  place  there  is  a  grand  meet- 
inghouse, and  one  not  less  elegant  in  its  kind  for  the 
minister.  Thence  we  proceeded  on  through  Northboro 
and  Shrewsbury,  to  Worcester,  through  rain,  and  with 
pain  and  weariness.  Mr.  Chandler  received  us  with  kind- 
ness more  than  common,  and  courtesy  anxious  to  please, 
calling  his  family  together  with  softness  of  address,  and 
in  all  things  else  being  agreeable,  perhaps  more  so  than 
any  man  I  have  met  with  in  America.  This  reception 
shall  comfort  us  a  little  in  our  toil.  From  Worcester 
we  journeyed  on,  passing  through  Leicester,  Spencer, 
Brookfield,  and  another  town.  We  dined  at  a  place 
where  "the  people  are  vmited,  and  do  not  wish  to  divide 
the  parish" — their  fathers,  the  Puritans,  divided  the  king- 
dom and  the  church  too,  and  when  they  could  not  ob- 
tain liberty  of  conscience  in  England  they  sought  it  here 


326  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1791 

among  wild  men  and  beasts.  At  Greaves's  tavern  I 
saw  a  man  from  Vermont,  who  said  the  number  of  their 
inhabitants  was  ninety  thousand.  He  invited  me  to  send 
preachers  among  them. 

July   19.     I  came  to  the  city  of  Hartford.     At  Mr. 

S 's  meetinghouse  I  was  attended  by  three  ministers. 

I  was  clear  not  to  keep  back  any  part  of  the  truth,  while 
I  enforced  Luke  7.  2t^.  The  people  were  mostly  serious 
and  attentive. 

July  29.  Came  to  Albany.  My  mind  felt  impressed 
with  the  value  of  the  souls  in  this  place,  liy  the  curves 
I  have  made  in  my  course  from  Hartford  to  this  place 
I  suppose  I  have  not  traveled  less  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles ;  perpetual  motion  is  no  small  trial  to  my  body 
and  mind ;  but  I  must  cast  my  care  upon  the  Lord.  I 
am  led  to  think  that  the  Eastern  church  will  find  this 
saying  hold  true  in  the  Methodists,  namely,  'T  will  pro- 
voke you  to  jealousy  by  them  that  are  no  people,  and  by 
a  foolish  nation  I  will  anger  you."  They  have  trodden 
upon  the  Quakers,  the  Episcopalians,  the  Baptists ;  see 
now  if  the  Methodists  do  not  work  their  way.  The 
people  will  not  pay  large  money  for  religion  if  they  can 
get  it  cheaper.  I  preached  to  about  three  hundred  people 
in  a  barn  at  Coeyman's  Patent,  the  new  stone  church  not 
being  ready.    Our  society  is  promising  in  this  place. 

A  Contented  Mind 

Aug.  12.  I  judge  that  my  journey  to  Lynn,  and  my 
rides  through  the  country  thereabouts,  have  made  a  dis- 
tance of  little  less  than  five  hundred  miles ;  and  thence 
to  Albany,  nearly  the  same ;  and  from  Albany  to  New 
York,  not  much  less ;  with,  occasionally,  very  rough 
roads  for  a  carriage.  Well,  it  is  all  for  God  and  Christ 
and  souls.  I  neither  covet  nor  receive  any  man's  silver 
or  gold ;  food,  raiment,  and  a  little  rest,  is  all  I  want. 
The  Lord  will  supply  all  my  needs. 


179']  ON  STATE N   ISLAND  327 

Aug.  21.  Our  congregation  became  unwieldy  and 
restless;  my  subject,  Luke  23.  3,  was  new,  to  me  at  least; 
although  my  mind  enjoyed  some  degree  of  peace,  my 
frame  was  agitated,  and  my  spirits  hurried.  I  received 
the  olive-branch  from  \'irginia.  All  is  peace ;  it  was  ob- 
tained by  a  kind  letter  from  me  to  O'Kelly. 

Skpt.  I.  I  visited  my  old  friends  on  Staten  Lsland ; 
many  whom  I  have  preached  to  and  prayed  for  still  keep 
at  a  distance. 

Sept.  2.  I  preached  in  our  new  chapel  to  a  large  con- 
gregation on,  "Ye  that  have  escaped  the  sword,  go  away, 
stand  not  still :  remember  the  Lord  afar  ofiF,  and  let  Jeru- 
salem come  into  your  mind"  (Jer.  51.  50). 

The  London  of  America 

Sept.  20.  Rode  to  Philadelphia.  Here,  as  usual,  I 
was  closely  employed  in  writing ;  I  had  several  meetings, 
and  some  awful  seasons  that  will  be  remembered  in  eter- 
nity. This  city  abounds  with  inhabitants ;  it  is  the  Lon- 
don of  America. 

Oct.  15.  Came  to  Downing's  Chapel;  had  a  blessed 
love  feast ;  most  of  those  who  spoke  professed  sanctifica- 
tion.  My  soul  was  filled  with  God.  I  did  what  I  could 
to  put  those  in  band  who  had  witnessed  perfect  love  in 
love  feast.  There  is  a  great  work  of  God  in  the  lower 
counties  of  \'irginia ;  but  the  Antinomian  doctrines,  so 
liberally  set  forth  by  some,  greatly  hinder.  We  have 
rough  weather. 

Nov.  6-7.  Attended  quarterly  meeting  at  Greensburg, 
commonly  called  Choptank  Bridge ;  we  had  a  strict  and 
living  love  feast,  and  powerful  testimonies. 

Nov.  16.  Came  to  Havre  de  Grace,  and  thence  hur- 
ried to  Cokesbury,  where  I  found  all  in  peace. 

Nov.  17.  Came  to  the  old  meetinghouse  at  lUish,  and 
preached  on,  "Enoch  walked  with  God."  The  meeting- 
house at  Bush  is  the  second  house  l)uilt  for  the  Metho- 


328  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1791 

dists  in  the  State ;  it  is  a  poor  building,  remaining  un- 
finished to  this  day,  and  hkely  so  to  continue. 

Nov.  27.  I  preached  at  Bahimore  a  searching  dis- 
course, on  Zeph.  i.  12.  In  the  afternoon  I  preached  at 
the  Point,  to  some  unfeeHng  souls  ;  and  in  the  evening 
performed  the  funeral  solemnity  of  my  dear  old  friend 
Sister  Tribulet,  on  Acts  16.  13-15. 

Dec.  5.  I  went  from  house  to  house  through  the 
snow  and  cold,  begging  money  for  the  support  of  the 
poor  orphans  at  Cokesbury. 

Crosses  the  Potomac  in  an  Open  Boat 

Dec.  7.  rV  day  to  be  remembered.  We  stopped  once 
in  forty-three  miles ;  when  we  reached  Oxen  Hill  Ferry, 
opposite  to  Alexandria,  I  was  nearly  frozen,  being  hardly 
able  to  walk  or  talk.  We  crossed  the  Potomac  in  an 
open  boat,  on  whose  icy  bottom  the  horses  with  difficulty 
kept  their  feet ;  and  still  worse  it  would  have  been  had  I 
not  thoughtfully  called  for  some  straw  to  strew  beneath 
them ;  we  had  five  of  them  on  board,  and  the  waves  were 
high. 

Dec.  II.  I  could  not  find  the  way  to  the  hearts  of  an 
unfeeling  people  at  the  widow  Bombry's.  Thence  we 
went  in  haste  to  Port  Royal ;  the  inhabitants,  seeing  us, 
ran  together,  to  whom  I  spoke  on  Acts  2.  2^ ;  the  people 
were  respectful  and  attentive. 

Dec.  12.  I  am  now  about  entering  upon  the  business 
of  the  Conferences  for  the  present  year ;  all  is  peace. 
Notwithstanding  I  have  been  so  highly  favored,  my  suf- 
ferings may  be  lessened  by  an  earlier  move  to  the  South ; 
I  will  therefore  remember  to  be  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Potomac  by  the  middle  of  November,  if  circumstances 
allow. 

Dec.  14-16.  Came  to  Brother  Dickinson's,  Caroline 
County,  and  waited  for  the  preachers  composing  the 
Conference  in  the  central  district  of  Virginia.     In  the 


179  2]  CHRISTMAS  DAY  329 

evening  the  l)rethren  came  tog'cther  ;  we  opened  Confer- 
ence, and  went  through  a  great  part  of  our  minute  work ; 
all  was  peace  and  love.  We  had  searching  work  in 
speaking  experiences,  and  in  examining  the  young  men 
who  offered  as  candidates  for  the  ministry.  After  fast- 
ing and  prayer  our  Conference  rose. 

The  plan  of  holding  the  Conference  in  small  sections  was    ■ 
adhered  to  this  year,  and  did  not  undergo  any  change  till  the 
next  year.     There  were  no  fewer  than  eighteen  Annual  Con- 
ferences held  this  year,  beginning  with  this  one  in  Virginia. 

Dec.  23.  Arrived  at  Lane's  Chapel,  where  our  Con- 
ference began  and  ended  in  great  peace. 

Christmas  Day.  I  preached  on  John  4.  14,  and  had 
a  comfortable  season ;  many  spoke  of  the  dealings  of 
God  with  their  souls.  The  examination  among  the 
preachers  relative  to  character  and  experience  was  very 
close ;  all  was  meekness  and  love. 

Jan.  I,  1792.  On  this  beginning  of  the  new  year  I 
preached  and  had  lil^erty  on  Isa.  65.  i,  2.  In  the  .evening 
I  once  more  cried  to  the  people  of  Norfolk,  "Repent, 
and  be  converted"  ;  my  audience  was  attentive  and  ten- 
der. Religion  revives  here,  the  seed  which  has  been 
sowing  for  twenty  years  springs  up ;  Norfolk  flourishes, 
Portsmouth  declines,  and  is  already  low. 

Jan.  19.  I  rode  with  no  small  difficulty  to  Green 
Hill's,  about  two  hundred  miles,  the  roads  being  covered 
with  snow  and  ice. 

Conference  at  Green  Hiirs 

Our  Conference  began  and  ended  in  great  peace  and 
harmony  ;  we  had  thirty-one  preachers  stationed  at  the 
dififerent  houses  in  the  neighborhood.  I  find  we  have  had 
a  good  work  in  the  eastern  district  of  North  Carolina  in 
the  past  year.  For  some  time  back  I  have  traveled  with 
much  difficulty,  having  few  hearers,  much  weakness  of 
body,  and  uncomfortable  weather. 

Jan.  24.     Brother  Morrell,  my  fellow  traveler,  was  ill ; 


330  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

we  had  our  horses  roughed,  which  detained  us  an  hour 
or  two  after  the  appointed  time. 

Thomas  Morrell,  who  had  been  an  officer  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary army,  was  long  one  of  Asbury's  most  trusted  helpers 
as  well  as  one  of  his  most  intimate  friends.  It  was  Asbury's 
custom  always  to  have  a  traveling  companion. 

Jan.  2^.  After  riding  thirty  miles  through  ice  and 
snow  to  Rainey's  I  found  many  people  waiting  for  me, 
and  I  began,  without  any  refreshment,  to  speak  on,  "This 
is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world,  even  our  faith." 
I  endeavored  to  point  out,  i.  The  object  of  this  faith; 
2.  Its  subjects;  3.  Its  nature;  4.  Its  victory.  In  our 
route  through  North  Carolina  we  passed  through  Bertie, 
Gates,  Tyrrell,  Tarboro,  Franklin,  Wake,  Chatham, 
Orange,  Guilford,  and  Randolph  Counties.  We  have 
traveled  nearly  eight  hundred  miles  since  the  seventh  of 
December  last  past. 

The  Case  of  William  Hammett 

Feb.  7  (South  Carolina).  We  reached  Sister  Port's. 
I  find  there  is  a  great  commotion  among  the  people,  ex- 
cited by  the  conduct  of  William  Hammett,  who  has 
divided  the  society  in  Charleston,  and  taken  to  himself 
some  chaff  and  some  wheat.  This  is  not  all,  they  say  our 
house  will  go  too. 

Dr.  Coke  had  brought  Hammett  from  the  West  Indies. 
From  the  first  he  made  trouble,  and  after  a  time  Coke  turned 
from  him.  Having  failed  to  persuade  Bishop  Asbury  at  Phila- 
delphia to  change  his  decision  and  station  him  in  Charleston, 
Hammett  returned  to  Charleston  and  established  an  inde- 
pendent church,  which  flourished  for  a  time,  but  declined  after 
Hammett's  death  a  few  years  later. 

Feb.  II.  Arrived  in  Charleston.  I  received  a  full  and 
true  account  of  Mr.  Hammett's  proceedings.  Brothers 
Ellis  and  Parks  have  done  all  things  well.  Mr.  Hammett 
has  three  grand  objections  to  us:  i.  The  American 
preachers  and  people  insulted  him.    2.  His  name  was  not 


179  2]  AN  ANONYMOUS  LETTER  331 

printed  in  our  Minutes.  3.  The  iiofa  bene  cautioning 
iiiiiiittc  was  directed  against  him.  He  has  gone  to  New 
Market,  to  preach,  and  has  drawn  about  twenty  white 
members  after  liini.  We  are  considered  by  him  as  se- 
ceders  from  Methodism,  because  we  do  not  wear  gowns 
and  powder,  and  because  we  did  not  pay  sufficient  re- 
spect to  Mr.  Wesley ! 

A  Revival  in  Connecticut 

Feb.  14.  Our  Conference  began.  I  preached  at 
night  on  Luke  24.  17,  and  endeavored  to  show  the  low 
estate  of  the  interest  of  Christ  at  that  time.  Li  our 
Conference  we  were  unusually  close  in  examination  of 
characters,  doctrines,  and  experience ;  we  had  great 
peace  and  some  power  among  us,  and  received  the  good 
news  of  eighty  souls  being  converted  in  Philadelphia, 
and  of  a  revival  in  Connecticut.  I  preached  a  sermon  to 
the  preachers,  on,  "Endure  hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of 
Jesus  Christ." 

Feb.  18.  I  received  an  abusive,  anonymous  letter  (I 
believe  from  Mr.  Smith)  on  several  subjects.  My 
spirits  were  low.  I  came  from  my  knees  to  receive  the 
letter,  and  having  read  it  I  returned  whence  I  came.  I 
judged  it  prudent  and  expedient,  and  I  think  I  was  urged 
thereto  by  conscience,  to  tell  the  people  of  some  things 
relating  to  m}self.  I  related  to  them  the  manner  of  my 
coming  to  America;  how  I  continued  during  the  war; 
the  arrival  of  Dr.  Coke,  and  the  forming  of  the  American 
Methodists  into  a  church ;  and,  finally,  why  I  did  not 
commit  the  charge  of  the  society  in  Charleston  to  Mr. 
Hammett,  who  was  unknown,  a  foreigner,  and  did  not 
acknowledge  the  authority  of,  nor  join  in  connection 
with,  the  American  Conference. 

Fei5.  19.  I  preached  on,  "Who  is  on  the  Lord's  side?" 
Mr.  Matthews  sent  in  his  resignation.  For  certain  rea- 
sons we  were  led  to  pass  over  his  character,  but  we  were 


332  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

wrong;  it  might  have  been  better  to  subject  it  to  scrutiny, 
although  none  grieved  at  his  going  from  us. 

Feb.  28.     We  rode  through  the  snow  to  Little  River, 

and  a  few  people  met  us  at  S 's ;  I  preached  on  2  Tim. 

4.  2-4.  Without  staging  to  eat,  we  rode  on  to  Washing- 
ton, making  thirty  miles  this  day  also.  We  collected  our 
Conference,  and  had  great  searching  and  sifting,  and 
were  under  the  necessity  of  suspending  one. 

Beverly  Allen  had  been  a  prominent  figure  in  the  history  of 
early  Methodism.  He  had  not  worked  in  good  accord  with 
Asbury,  having  spoken  against  him  among  the  people,  and 
having  written  to  Mr.  Wesley  and  Dr.  Coke  against  him. 
Asbury  had  long  distrusted  him,  and  Allen  now  having  become 
involved  in  a  serious  matter.  Bishop  Asbury  was  obliged  to 
expel  him. 

Preaches  on  the  Marriage  Supper 

We  were  very  close  in  examining  characters  and  prin- 
ciples ;  each  preacher  spoke  his  experience,  and  made 
his  observations  relative  to  the  work  of  God  since  last 
Conference.  Brother  Hull  accompanies  me,  and  Hardy 
Herbert  repairs  to  Alexandria,  in  Virginia.  I  hope  in 
future  there  will  be  harmony  among  the  brethren ;  if 
souls  are  converted  to  God  it  answers  no  valuable  pur- 
pose thereafter  to  disciple  them  to  ourselves.  I  preached 
on  the  marriage  supper,  and  took  occasion  to  show  how 
some  are  kept  from,  and  others  lose,  the  grace  of  God, 
by  the  unlawful  use  of  lawful  things. 

Mar.  12.  I  have  read  two  volumes  of  Gordon's 
American  Revolution,  containing  about  one  thousand 
pages. 

Mar.  18.  We  have  rested  two  days  besides  Sabbaths, 
and  ridden  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  in  about  two 
weeks ;  our  entertainment  is  generally  mean. 

Mar.  21.  We  started  for  Holston.  After  riding 
about  fifteen  miles  we  stopped  to  feed,  and  a  woman 
directed  us  along  the  new  way  over  to  Elk  Spur.  We 
found  ourselves  in  a  wilderness.     The  weather  was  very 


1792]  THE  WILDERNESS  TRAIL  s^S 

cold,  and,  the  night  coming'  on,  we  were  at  a  loss  what 
tc  do.  While  we  were  wishfully  looking-  ahont  us,  to  our 
g-reat  satisfaction  we  discovered  a  house.  It  was  clean 
and  comfortable,  and  we  were  well  entertained. 

J\Iar.  22.  We  made  an  early  start  for  friend  Os- 
borne's, on  New  River,  fifteen  miles  distant.  Here  we 
were  generously  entertained.  After  talking  and  praying 
together  we  were  guided  across  the  river,  for  which  I 
was  thankful.  Arriving  at  Fox  Creek,  we  crossed  it 
eleven  times. 

Mar.  31.  I  heard  a  company'  had  arrived  from  Ken- 
tucky at  Crab's.  This  man's  son  and  a  Mr.  Henderson 
have  been  killed  by  the  Indians  since  I  was  here  last. 
How  needful  that  we  watch  and  pray ! 

Apr.  2.  We  entered  the  wilderness  and  reached  Rob- 
inson Station.  Two  of  the  company  were  on  foot,  carry- 
ing their  packs  ;  and  women  there  are  with  their  chil- 
dren. These  incumbrances  make  us  move  slowly  and 
heavily. 

Apr.  3.  We  reached  Richland  Creek  (Kentucky), 
and  were  preserved  from  harm.  About  two  o'clock  it 
began  to  rain,  and  continued  most  of  the  day.  After 
crossing  the  Laurel  River,  which  we  were  compelled  to 
swim,  we  came  to  Rock  Castle  Station,  where  we  found 
such  a  set  of  sinners  as  made  it  next  to  hell  itself.  Our 
corn  here  cost  us  a  dollar  per  bushel. 

Reaches  Crab  Orchard 

Apr.  4.  This  morning  we  again  swam  the  river,  and 
also  the  West  Fork  thereof.  My  little  horse  was  ready 
to  fail  in  the  course  of  the  day.  I  was  steeped  in  the 
water  up  to  the  waist.  About  seven  o'clock,  with  hard 
pushing,  we  reached  the  Crab  Orchard. 

The  gateway  to  Kentucky  was  by  the  route  traveled  before 
through  Cumberland  Gap.  It  was  a  wild  trail  till  these  first 
settlements  at  Crab  Orchard  were  reached. 


334  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

How  much  I  have  suffered  in  this  journey  is  only 
known  to  God  and  myself.  What  added  much  to  its  dis- 
ag-reeableness  is  the  extreme  filthiness  of  the  houses. 

Natural  Rights  of  Mankind 

Apr.  10.  I  wrote  and  sent  to  Mr.  Rice,  a  Presbyterian 
minister,  a  commendation  of  his  speech,  delivered  in  a 
convention  in  Kentucky,  on  the  natural  rights  of  man- 
kind. I  gave  him  an  exhortation  to  call  on  the  Meth- 
odists on  his  way  to  Philadelphia,  and,  if  convenient,  to 
preach  in  our  houses. 

Ten  years  before  this  David  Rice,  a  Virginia  Presbyterian, 
had  come  from  Virginia  with  the  first  Virginian  immigrants 
and  estabHshed  the  first  Presbyterian  church  in  Kentucky. 
He  had  also  established  a  high  school,  and  was  a  leading  man 
in  the  territory.  He  was  bitterly  opposed  to  slavery,  and  had 
written  a  letter  to  the  convention  protesting  against  allowing 
it  in  Kentucky. 

Apr.  23.    I  rode  to  Bethel. 

Here  was  a  school  which  had  been  planned  by  Francis 
Poythress,  who  belonged  to  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  Vir- 
ginia, now  in  charge  of  the  Kentucky  district.  Land  had  been 
given  for  the  school,  and  he  was  now  trying  to  raise  money  for 
buildings. 

I  found  it  necessary  to  change  the  plan  of  the  house, 
to  make  it  more  comfortable  to  the  scholars  in  cold 
weather.  I  am  too  much  in  company,  and  hear  so  much 
about  Indians,  convention,  treaty,  killing,  and  scalping 
that  my  attention  is  drawn  more  to  these  things  than  I 
could  wish. 

Apr.  25.  Was  a  rainy,  damp  day.  However,  we  rode 
to  meet  the  Conference,  where  I  was  closely  emplo}'ed 
with  the  traveling  and  local  preachers,  and  with  the 
leaders  and  stewards.  I  met  the  married  men  and  women 
apart,  and  we  had  great  consolation  in  the  Lord.  Vast 
crowds  of  people  attended  public  worship.  The  spirit 
of  matrimony   is   very   prevalent   here.      In   one   circuit 


1792]  INDIAN  ALARMS  335 

lioth  preachers  are  settled.  The  land  is  good,  the  coun- 
try new,  and  indeed  all  possible  facilities  to  the  comfort- 
able maintenance  of  a  family  arc  offered  to  an  indus- 
trious, prudent  pair. 

Ai>K.  30.  An  alarm  was  spreading  of  a  depredation 
committed  by  the  Indians,  on  the  east  and  west  frontiers 
of  the  settlement.  In  the  former,  report  says  one  man 
was  killed ;  in  the  latter,  many  men,  with  women  and 
children.  Everxthing  is  in  motion.  There  having  been 
so  many  about  me  at  Conference,  my  rest  was  much 
broken.  I  hoped  now  to  repair  it,  and  get  refreshed 
before  I  set  out  to  return  through  the  wilderness ;  but 
the  continual  arrival  of  people  until  midnight,  the  bark- 
ing of  d(\gs,  and  other  annoyances,  prevented.  Next 
night  we  reached  the  Crab  Orchard,  where  thirty  or 
forty  people  were  compelled  to  crowd  into  one  mean 
house.  We  could  get  no  more  rest  here  than  we  did  in 
the  wilderness.  We  came  the  old  way  by  Skaggs 
Creek  and  Rock  Castle,  supposing  it  to  be  safer,  as  it 
was  a  road  less  frequented,  and  therefore  less  liable  to 
be  wa}'laid  b}'  the  savages.  My  body  by  this  time  is  well 
tried.  I  had  a  violent  fever  and  pain  in  the  head,  such 
as  I  had  not  lately  felt.  I  stretched  myself  on  the  cold 
ground,  and.  borrowing  clothes  to  keep  me  warm,  by 
the  mercy  of  God  T  slept  four  or  five  hours. 

Asbttry  Stands  Guard 

Next  morning  we  set  off  early,  and  passed  beyond 
Richland  Creek.  Here  we  were  in  danger,  if  anywhere. 
I  could  have  slept,  but  was  afraid.  Seeing  the  drowsi- 
ness of  the  company,  I  walked  the  encampment,  and 
watched  the  sentries  the  whole  night.  Early  next  morn- 
ing we  made  our  way  to  Robinson's  Station.  We  had 
the  best  company  I  ever  met  with,  thirty-six  good  travel- 
ers and  a  few  warriors ;  but  we  had  a  packhorse,  some 
old  men,  and  two  tired  horses,  and  progress  was  slow. 


336  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

Dr.  Bangs,  in  his  History  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
commenting  on  this  entry,  says:  "Let  the  present  race  of 
Methodist  preachers  and  missionaries  look  at  this  picture,  and 
learn  from  it  how  the  fields  were  won  by  such  veteran  soldiers 
of  the  cross." 

May  12-14.  We  were  engaged  in  the  business  of 
Conference  at  Holston.  I  had  a  meeting  with  the  men ; 
a  lively  one  with  the  women,  most  of  whose  hearts  the 
Lord  touched,  causing  them  to  rejoice  in  God. 

Necessity  of  Annual  Conferences 

May  19.  I  am  more  than  ever  convinced  of  the  need 
and  propriety  of  Annual  Conferences,  and  of  greater 
changes  among  the  preachers.  I  am  sensible  the  West- 
ern parts  have  suffered  by  my  absence.  I  lament  this, 
and  deplore  my  loss  of  strict  communion  with  God, 
occasioned  by  the  necessity  I  am  under  of  constant  rid- 
ing, change  of  place,  company,  and  sometimes  disagree- 
able company,  loss  of  sleep,  and  the  difficulties  of  clam- 
bering over  rocks  and  mountains,  and  journeying  at  the 
rate  of  seven  or  eight  hundred  miles  per  month. 

May  20.  We  rode  about  one  hundred  and  sixty 
miles  from  the  Rich  Valley  to  Greenbrier  Conference; 
talking  too  much,  and  praying  too  little,  caused  me  to 
feel  barrenness  of  soul.  We  had  a  hope  that  not  less  than 
ten  souls  were  converted  during  the  Conference.  i\t 
preaching,  I  myself,  having  a  violent  headache,  retired ; 
the  Lord  was  with  them  at  the  sacrament ;  after  which, 
the  doors  being  opened,  many  came  in  and  the  meeting 
continued  until  nearly  sunset. 

May  26.  We  rode  twenty-six  miles  to  the  Little 
Levels.  O  what  a  solitary  country  this  is !  We  have 
now  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  before  us,  fifty  of 
which  is  a  wilderness.  There  is  a  guard  at  two  houses 
on  our  route.  But  I  do  not  fear.  Nature  is  spent  with 
labor ;  I  would  not  live  always.  Hail !  happy  death : 
nothing  but  holiness,  perfect  love,  and  then  glory  for  me  I 


1792]  TROUBLESOME  FEARS  337 

May  31.  J*)Oth  men  and  horses  traveled  sore  and 
wearily  to  Uniontown  (  Pennsylvania).  O  how  good  are 
clean  houses,  plentiful  tables,  and  populous  villages, 
when  compared  with  the  rough  world  we  came  through ! 
Here  I  turned  out  our  poor  horses  to  pasture  and  to 
rest,  after  riding  them  for  nearly  three  hundred  miles  in 
eight  days. 

June  i.    Wrote  I  Uers  to  send  over  the  mountains. 

June  2.  I  began  to  feel  lame,  and  had  a  severe  touch 
of  the  rheumatism,  accompanied  with  a  high  fever,  which 
occasioned  great  pain  to  me  while  sitting  in  Conference. 
I  found  it  necessary  to  remove,  by  exchange,  six  of  the 
preachers  from  this  to  the  Eastern  District. 

June  10.  We  have  founded  a  seminary  of  learning 
called  Union  School ;  Brother  C.  Conway  is  manager, 
who  also  has  charge  of  the  district ;  this  establishment 
is  designed  for  instruction  in  grammar,  languages,  and 
the  sciences.  I  have  had  some  awful  thoughts  lest  my 
lameness  should  grow  upon  me,  and  render  me  useless. 
I  sometimes  have  fears  that  I  am  too  slack  in  speaking 
in  public,  at  Conferences ;  I  also  feel  the  want  of  time 
and  places  to  pursue  my  practice  of  solitary  prayer,  be- 
ing frequently  obliged  to  ride  all  the  day  and  late  at 
night,  that  I  may  in  time  reach  the  appointed  places  to 
preach ;  I  must,  however,  find  time  to  pray. 

Hammett  Rails  at  Presiding  Eldership 

June  12.  I  was  informed  that  Mr.  Hammett  had  sent 
abroad  circular  letters,  and  had  been  railing  against  the 
presiding  eldership,  etc.  I  am  not  surprised  that  he 
should  find  fault  with  the  office — its  duties  he  was  a 
man  not  likely  to  fulfill ;  yet  had  it  not  been  for  the 
power  attached  to  it,  how  greatly  might  Mr.  Hammett 
have  confused  the  society  in  Charleston,  and  perplexed 
the  preachers  in  the  district ! 

June  18.    Rode  to  Bath  (Virginia).     Here  I  had  the 


338 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1792 


opportunity  of  writing  to  all  the  connected  preachers  in 
the  district. 

June  23.  I  attended  quarterly  meeting  at  the  widow 
Flint's.  Here  I  had  the  first  sight  of  Mr.  Hammett's 
and  Brother  Thomas  Morrell's  attacks  on  each  oth^r,  or, 
rather,  Mr.  Hammett's  against  the  Alethodists,  and 
Brother  Morrell's  reply.  Had  Brother  Morrell  known 
more,   he   would   have   replied   better.      Mr.    Hammett's 


:r. 


jv 


THE    REPUTED    BIRTHPLACE    OF    FRANCIS    ASBURY, 


quotation  of  a  clause  in  my  confidential  letter  to  Brother 
Shadford  is  not  altogether  just.  He  has  also  misquoted 
the  caution,  leaving  out  the  word  "District,"  which,  when 
retained,  shows  it  to  have  been  American,  and  to  have 
been  directed  against  American  apostates  and  impostors. 

June  30.  I  was  taken  up  with  writing  letters,  having 
■received  accounts  from  Cokesbury.  The  college  seems 
to  be  the  weighty  concern  for  the  present. 

July  8.  I  preached  at  Ebenezer  Church  (Philadel- 
phia) on  James  4.  8;  at  Saint  George's  Church  on  Mark 


1792]  LIFE  OP  WESLEY  339 

8.  38.  I  had  lar^e  accounts  from  the  eastward,  and  am 
requested  to  send  them  more  preachers.  After  twenty 
years'  standing  of  the  house  in  our  hands,  the  galleries 
are  j)Ut  up  in  our  old  new  church. 

July   13.     After  preaching  at  's,  we  rode  on  to 

Brother  H 's.     He  is  resolved  that  after  he  and  his 

wife  are  served  the  remainder  of  his  whole  estate  shall 
go  to  the  church ;  his  plantation  to  be  rented,  and  the 
annual  income  to  be  applied  as  the  Conference  held  for 
Pennsylvania  and  the  Jerseys  shall  i)lease  to  direct. 

July   16.     We  hasted   to   V 's   Ferry  ;   but   found 

ourselves  detained  by  the  absence  of  both  boats,  so  that 
we  did  not  so  soon  as  we  expected  reach  New  York.  I 
did  not  find  that  life  and  harmony  here  that  have  been 
in  times  past.  1  have  just  now  obtained  and  am  reading 
Mr.  Wesley's  Life,  the  work  of  Dr.  Coke  and  Mr.  Moore, 
containing  five  hundred  and  forty-two  pages.  It  is  in 
general  well  -compiled,  bv:t  the  history  of  American 
Methodism  is  inaccurate  in  some  of  its  details,  and  in 
some  which  are  interesting.  For  some  days  past  I  have 
been  occupied  in  reading,  and  in  meeting  the  several 
women's  classes,  and  found  the  Lord  was  among  them. 

Asbary*s  Autobiography 

July  19.  As  very  probably  all  of  my  life  which  I 
shall  be  able  to  write  will  be  found  in  my  Journal,  it  will 
not  be  improper  to  relate  something  of  my  earlier  years, 
and  to  give  a  brief  account  of  my  first  labors  in  the 
ministry. 

I  was  born  in  Old  England,  near  the  foot  of  Hamp- 
stead  Bridge,  in  the  parish  of  Handsworth,  about  four 
miles  from  Birmingham,  in  Staffordshire,  and  according 
to  the  best  of  my  after-knowledge  on  the  twentieth  or 
twenty-first  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1745. 

My  father's  name  was  Joseph,  and  my  mother's 
Elizabeth  Asbury.     They  were  people  in  common  life ; 


340 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1792 


were  remarkable  for  honesty  and  industry,  and  had  all 
things  needful  to  enjoy;  had  my  father  been  as  saving, 
as  laborious,  he  might  have  been  w^ealthy.     As  it  w^as,  it 


ij.i/.AKi-.  I  II    Asi;rK\" 


was  his  province  to  be  employed  as  a  farmer  and  gar- 
dener by  the  two  richest  families  in  the  parish.  My 
parents  had  but  two  children — a  daughter,  called  Sarah, 
and  myself.     My  lovely  sister  died  in  infancy ;  she  was 


1792]  ASBURY'S  EARLY  LIFE  341 

a  favorite,  and  my  dear  nidthcr,  being-  very  affectionate, 
sunk  into  deep  distress  at  the  loss  of  a  darling  child, 
from  which  she  was  not  relieved  for  many  years.  It  was 
nnder  this  dispensation  that  God  was  pleased  to  open 
the  eyes  of  her  mind,  she  living  in  a  very  dark,  dark, 
dark  day  and  place.  She  now  began  to  read  almost  con- 
stantly when  leisure  presented  the  opportunity.  When  a 
child,  I  thought  it  strange  my  mother  should  stand  by  a 
large  window  poring  over  a  book  for  hours  together. 

From  my  childhood  I  may  say,  I  have  "neither  dared 
an  oath,  nor  hazarded  a  lie."  The  love  of  truth  is  not 
natural,  but  the  habit  of  telling  it  I  accjuired  very  early; 
and  so  well  was  I  taught  that  my  conscience  would  never 
l)ermit  me  to  swear  profanely.  I  learned  from  my  par- 
ents a  certain  form  of  words  for  prayer,  and  I  well  re- 
member my  mother  strongly  urged  my  father  to  family 
reading  and  prayer ;  the  singing  of  psalms  was  much 
practiced  by  them  both.  My  foible  was  the  ordinary 
foible  of  children,  fondness  for  play ;  but  I  abhorred 
mischief  and  wickedness,  although  my  mates  were  among 
the  vilest  of  the  vile  for  lying,  swearing,  fighting,  and 
whatever  else  boys  of  their  age  and  evil  habits  were 
likely  to  be  guilty  of.  From  such  society  I  very  often 
returned  home  uneasy  and-  melancholy ;  and  although 
driven  away  by  my  better  principles,  still  I  would  return, 
hoping  to  find  happiness  where  I  never  found  it.  Some- 
times I  was  much  ridiculed  and  called  Methodist  Parson, 
because  my  mother  invited  any  people  who  had  the  ap- 
pearance of  religion  to  her  house. 

I  was  sent  to  school  early,  and  began  to  read  the  Bible 
between  six  and  seven  years  of  age,  and  greatly  de- 
lighted in  the  historical  part  of  it.  My  schoolmaster  was 
a  great  churl,  and  used  to  beat  me  cruelly ;  this  drove 
me  to  prayer,  and  it  appeared  to  me  that  God  was  near 
to  me.  My  father,  having  but  the  one  son,  g^reatly  de- 
sired to  keep  me  at  school,  he  cared  not  how  long;  but 


342  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

in  this  design  he  was  disappointed,  for  my  master,  by 
his  severity,  had  filled  me  with  snch  a  horrible  dread 
that  with  me  anything  was  preferable  to  going  to  school. 
T  lived  some  time  in  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  un- 
godly families  we  had  in  the  parish ;  here  I  became  vain, 
but  not  openly  wicked.  Some  months  after  this  I  re- 
turned home,  and  made  my  choice,  when  about  thirteen 
years  and  a  half  old,  to  learn  a  branch  of  business  at 
vvdiich  I  wrought  about  six  years  and  a  half.  During 
this  time  I  enjoyed  great  liberty,  and  in  the  family  was 
treated  more  like  a  son  or  an  equal  than  an  apprentice. 

Soon  after  I  entered  on  that  business  God  sent  a  pious 
man,  not  a  Methodist,  into  our  neighborhood,  and  my 
mother  invited  him  to  our  house  ;  by  his  conversation 
and  prayers  I  was  awakened  before  I  was  fourteen  years 
of  age.  It  was  now  easy  and  pleasing  to  leave  my  com- 
pany, and  I  began  to  pray  morning  and  evening,  being 
drawn  by  the  cords  of  love,  as  with  the  bands  of  a  man. 
T  soon  left  our  blind  priest,  and  went  to  West  Bromwich 
Church ;  here  I  heard  Ryland,  Stillingfleet,  Talbot,  Bag- 
nail,  Mansfield,  Haweis,  and  Venn,  great  names,  and 
esteemed  gospel  ministers.  I  became  very  serious,  read- 
ing a  great  deal — Whitefield  and  Cennick's  Sermons, 
and  every  good  book  I  could  meet  with.  It  was  not  long 
before  I  began  to  inquire  of  my  mother  who,  where, 
what  were  the  Methodists  ;  she  gave  me  a  favorable  ac- 
count, and  directed  me  to  a  person  that  could  take  me  to 
Wednesbury  to  hear  them.  I  soon  found  this  was  not 
the  Church,  but  it  was  better.  The  people  were  so  de- 
vout, men  and  women  kneeling  down,  saying  "Amen." 
Now,  behold !  they  were  singing  hymns,  sweet  sotmd ! 
Why,  strange  to  tell !  the  preacher  had  no  prayer  book, 
and  yet  he  prayed  wonderfully !  What  was  yet  more 
extraordinary,  the  man  took  his  text,  and  had  no  sermon 
book :  thought  I,  this  is  wonderful  indeed !  It  is  cer- 
tainly a  strange  way,  but  the  best  way.    He  talked  about 


1792] 


ASBURY'S  CONVERSION 


343 


confidence,  assurance,  etc.,  of  which  all  my  flights  and 
hopes  fell  short.  I  had  no  deep  convictions,  nor  had  I 
committed  any  deep  known  sins.  At  one  sermon,  some 
time  after,  my  companion  was  powerfully  wrought  on. 
I  was  exceedingly  grieved  that  I  could  not  weep  like 
him ;  yet  I  knew  myself  to  be  in  a  state  of  unbelief.     On 


fp^ 


'^IWM     '  V'    ,< 


^s 


.-/■>..VH.;;f 


'-*- 


-«i'^''i^@il' 


^Ir^ 


MANW'OOD    COTTAGE,    HANDSWORTH. 


a  certain  time  when  we  were  praying  in  my  father's 
barn  I  believed  the  Lord  pardoned  my  sins  and  justified 
my  soul ;  but  my  ■  companions  reasoned  me  out  of  this 
belief,  saying,  "Mr.  Mather  said  a  believer  was  as  happy 
as  if  he  was  in  heaven."  I  thought  I  was  not  as  happy 
as  I  would  be  there,  and  gave  up  my  confidence,  and  that 
for  months ;  yet  I  was  happy,  free  from  guilt  and  fear, 
and  had  power  over  sin,  and  felt  great  inward  joy. 
After  this  we  met  for  reading  and  prayer,  and  had  large 


344  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

and  good  meetings,  and  were  much  persecuted,  until 
the  persons  at  whose  houses  we  held  them  were  afraid, 
and  they  were  discontinued.  I  then  held  meetings  fre- 
quently at  my  father's  house,  exhorting  the  people  there, 
as  also  at  Sutton  Colefield,  and  several  souls  professed 
to  find  peace  through  my  labors.  I  met  class  a  while  at 
Bromwich  Heath,  and  met  in  band  at  Wednesbury.  I 
had  preached  some  months  before  I  publicly  appeared  in 
the  Methodist  meetinghouses ;  when  my  labors  became 
more  public  and  extensive,  some  were  amazed,  not  know- 
ing how  I  had  exercised  elsewhere.  Behold  me  now  a 
local  preacher ! — the  humble  and  willing  servant  of  any 
and  of  every  preacher  that  called  on  me  by  night  or  by 
day ;  being  ready,  with  hasty  steps,  to  go  far  and  wide 
to  do  good,  visiting  Derbyshire,  Staffordshire,  War- 
wickshire, Worcestershire,  and  indeed  almost  every 
place  within  my  reach,  for  the  sake  of  precious  souls ; 
preaching,  generally,  three,  four,  and  five  times  a  week, 
and  at  the  same  time  pursuing  my  calling.  I  think,  when 
I  was  between  twenty-one  and  twenty-two  years  of  age 
I  gave  myself  up  to  God  and  his  work,  after  acting  as  a 
local  preacher  near  the  space  of  five  years.  It  is  now 
the  nineteenth  of  July,  1792:  I  have  been  laboring  for 
God  and  souls  about  thirty  years,  or  upward. 

Some  time  after  I  had  obtained  a  clear  witness  of  my 
acceptance  with  God  the  Lord  showed  me,  in  the  heat 
of  youth  and  youthful  blood,  the  evil  of  my  heart.  For 
a  short  time  I  enjoyed,  as  I  thought,  the  pure  and  per- 
fect love  of  God ;  but  this  happy  frame  did  not  long 
continue,  although,  at  seasons,  I  was  greatly  blessed. 
While  I  was  a  traveling  preacher  in  England  I  was 
much  tempted,  finding  myself  exceedingly  ignorant  of 
almost  everything  a  minister  of  the  gospel  ought  to 
know.  How  I  came  to  America,  and  the  events  which 
have  happened  since,  my  Journal  will  show. 

July  20.     I  preached  in  New  York,  on,  "Who  is  on 


1792]  DESIRE  FOR  A  REVIVAL  345 

the  Lord's  side?"  I  had  some  hfe  in  speaking,  but  there 
was  Httle  move  in  the  congregation.  O  Lord,  hasten  a 
revival  of  th}-  work !  This  city  has  been  agitated  alx)ut 
the  choice  of  governor;  it  would  be  better  for  them  all 
to  be  on  the  Lord's  side.  The  standard  is  set  up,  who 
declares  for  the  Lord?  The  wicked,  the  carnal  pro- 
fessors, carnal  ministers,  and  apostates  are  the  Lord's 
enemies. 

July  23.  We  set  out  for  Lynn,  and  made  our  way 
through  Bedford,  riding  fifty  miles  the  first  day :  I 
prayed  in  four  houses,  and  felt  much  given  up  to  God. 

The  Mission  of  Methodists 

July  25.  We  continued  on  to  Southerington ;  we 
dined  at  a  public  house,  where  we  had  cheap,  good,  plain 
usage.  Our  host,  told  us,  'Tt  was  the  misfortune  of  the 
Methodists  to  fall  in  with  some  of  the  most  ignorant, 
poor,  and  disreputable  people  in  the  state."  ]\Iy  answer 
was,  the  poor  have  the  gospel  preached  to  them ;  that  it 
had  been  aforetime  asked,  "Have  any  of  the  rulers  be- 
lieved on  him?" 

Aug.  2.  Our  Conference  met  (Lynn),  consisting  of 
eight  preachers,  much  united,  besides  myself.  In  Lynn 
we  have  the  outside  of  a  house  completed ;  and  what  is 
best  of  all,  several  souls  profess  to  be  converted  to  God. 
I  preached  on  i  John  4.  1-6,  and  had  some  life,  but  was 
too  formal.  There  was  preaching  every  night  through 
the  sitting  of  the  Conference. 

Ordination  Sermon 

Aug.  4.  I  preached  an  ordination  sermon  to  a  very 
solemn  congregation,  on  2  Cor.  3.  5. 

Aug.  5.  I  preached  on  i  Cor.  6.  19,  20.  In  the  after- 
noon Brother  Allen  preached ;  and  I  afterward  gave 
them  a  farewell  exhortation,  and  there  were  some  aflfec- 
tionate  feelings  excited  among  the  people.     Many  were 


346  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

moved,  and  felt  a  great  desire  to  speak  in  the  love  feast, 
but  they  had  not  courage.  O  that  we  had  more  apos- 
tolical preaching ! 

Aug.  10.  We  have  now  ridden  about  one  hundred  and 
seventy  miles  from  Lynn  in  four  days.  My  mind  has 
been  variously  exercised,  and  my  body  much  fatigued : 
if  I  have  been  kept  from  sin,  to  the  Lord's  name  be  all 
the  glory !  Pittsfield  is  a  pleasant  plain,  extending  from 
mountain  to  mountain ;  the  population  may  consist  of 
two  thousand  souls.  There  is  a  grand  meetinghouse  and 
steeple,  both  as  white  and  glistening  as  Solomon's 
temple.  The  minister,  as  I  learn,  is  on  the  New  Divinity 
plan.  I  heard  the  experience  of  one  of  the  first  settlers 
in  the  town,  who  was  clearly  brought  out  of  bondage ; 
but  by  resting  in  unfailing  perseverance  he  again  grew 
cold;  of  late  he  has  been  stirred  up  and  restored  by  the 
instrumentality  of  the  Methodists.  I  was  pleased  to 
enjoy  the  privilege  of  retiring  alone  to  the  cooling  sylvan 
shades  in  frequent  converse  with  my  best  Friend. 

Aug.  13.  We  set  out  and  came  to  Lebanon  in  the 
state  of  New  York.  The  medical  waters  here  are  warm 
and  very  soft ;  pure  and  light,  with  no  small  quantity  of 
fixed  air.  I  found  a  poor  bath  house.  Here  the  devil's 
tents  are  set  up,  and,  as  is  common  at  these  his  encamp- 
ments, his  children  are  doing  his  drudgery. 

Missionaries  to  the  Frontiers 

Aug.  15.  Came  to  Albany,  and  had  a  joyful,  happy 
Conference,  twenty-one  preachers  being  present.  We 
constituted  two  deacons  and  four  elders.  Each  preacher 
was  called  upon  to  speak  of  his  exercises  and  observa- 
tions since  our  last  annual  session.  We  examined  our 
doctrines,  and  whether  our  faith  was  still  firm  in  those 
which  were  believed  and  taught  among  us.  We  ap- 
pointed Jonathan  Newman  as  a  missionary  to  the  whites 
and  Indians  on  the  frontiers.     We  also  sent  another  to 


1792]  PRACTICAL  INQUIRIES  347 

Cattaraugus.  Before  we  rose,  we  propounded  a  few  ques- 
tions of  theology,  namely,  i.  How  are  we  to  deal  with 
sinners?  2.  How  should  we  treat  with  mourners? 
3.  Which  way  should  we  address  hypocrites?  4.  How 
can  we  deal  with  backsliders?  5.  What  is  best  for 
believers  ? 

We  had  preaching  in  the  market  houses  in  Albany ; 
and  notwithstanding  our  hurry  and  crowd  we  were 
happ\',  and  had  living  testimonies  from  preachers  and 
people.  I  trust  two  hundred  have  been  converted  in  the 
district  since  last  Conference. 

Breakfasts  with  Governor  Van  Cortlandt 

Aug.  23.  I  breakfasted  at  Governor  Van  Cortlandt's. 
I  feel  as  if  the  Lord  had  been  striving  here. 

Aug.  25.  Came  to  the  quarterly  meeting  at  New  Ro- 
chelle.  We  had  a  meeting  with  the  local  preachers, 
stewards,  and  leaders  who  were  present.  Mr.  Ham- 
mett's  rejoinder  has  made  its  appearance.  N.  Manners 
has  also  come  to  town,  to  spread  his  doctrine  and  dis- 
tribute his  books ;  were  he  a  gracious  man.  I  cannot  think 
he  would  write  as  he  does  against  Mr.  Wesley  and  Mr. 
Fletcher.  Perhaps  he  will  find  it  rather  easier  to  write 
and  print  books  than  to  sell  and  pay  the  cost  of  publish- 
ing them. 

Aug.  27.  Came  to  New  York,  and  opened  Confer- 
ence, twenty-eight  preachers  being  present.  We  spent 
most  of  the  afternoon  in  prayer,  and  nearly  all  the 
preachers  gave  an  account  of  what  each  one  had  seen 
and  felt  since  last  Conference.  The  young  gave  us  their 
experience,  and  there  were  several  who  professed  sanctifi- 
cation.  Awful  Hammett  haunted  us  one  day,  requesting 
us  to  give  him  an  honorable  discharge  from  the  connec- 
tion ;  but  we  shall  publish  him  expelled ;  he  is  the  Wheat- 
ley  of  America. 

Aug.  31.    We  had  a  solemn  love  feast,  the  lower  floor 


348  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

of  the  house  being  nearly  filled ;  several  of  the  brethren 
professed  perfect  love ;  others  had  lost  the  witness.  My 
mind  has  been  so  bent  to  the  business  of  the  Conference 
that  I  have  slept  but  little  this  week.  Connecticut  is 
supplied  much  to  my  mind,  several  very  promising  young 
men  having  been  admitted  to  this  Conference.  The  soci- 
eties are  in  harmony,  but  not  as  lively  as  they  ought  to 
be.  I  was  much  obliged  to  my  friends  for  renewing  my 
clothing  and  giving  me  a  little  pocket  money ;  this  is 
better  than  £500  per  annum.  I  told  some  of  our  preach- 
ers, who  were  very  poor,  how  happy  they  were ;  and  that 
probably,  had  they  more,  their  wants  would  proportion- 
ably  increase. 

Sept.  2.  I  preached  a  preparatory  sermon,  on  i  Cor. 
5.  7,  8,  previously  to  the  administration  of  the  sacrament. 
It  was  observed  what  a  fitness  of  similarity  there  was 
between  the  passover  and  the  supper  of  the  Lord — the 
simplicity  and  purity  of  the  latter :  bread,  instead  of  the 
flesh  of  an  animal,  and  wine,  instead  of  the  blood  of  the 
creature ;  wine,  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  grace  the  life 
of  our  souls.  It  was  shown  who  were  proper  communi- 
cants— true  penitents  and  real  believers.  Not  with  the 
leaven  of  malice  and  wickedness,  acid,  bitter,  and  puff- 
ing up,  but  the  unleavened  bread  of  sincerity  and  truth, 
uprightness  of  heart  and  sound  experience. 

Leaves  New  York  for  a  Year 

Sept.  3.  I  now  leave  New  York  for  one  whole  year, 
under  the  hope  and  prophecy  that  this  will  be  a  year  of 
the  Lord's  power  with  them. 

This  prophecy  was  gloriously  fulfilled. 

Sept.  6.  We  had  great  peace  in  our  Conference 
(Philadelphia).  The  preachers  gave  a  feeling  account 
of  the  work  of  God.  We  had  more  preachers  than  we 
needed  this  time;  both  they  and  the  people  were  Hvely; 


1792]  A  WICKED  CITY  349 

most  of  our  brethren  in  the  ministry  can  now  stand  the 
greatest  exertions. 

Sept.  9.  We  had  a  melting  love  feast ;  the  mouths 
of  many  were  opened  to  declare  the  loving-kindness  of 
the  Lord.  I  preached,  but  did  not  like  their  ill-contrived 
house.  At  Ebenezer  1  had  an  attentive  congregation  to 
whom  I  spoke  on  Phil.  i.  18.  At  night  the  moljility  came 
in  like  the  roaring  of  the  sea :  boys  were  around  the  doors, 
and  the  streets  were  in  an  uproar.  They  had  been  alarmed 
bv  a  shout  the  night  before,  which,  probably,  was  one 
cause  of  the  congregation  being  so  large.  This  is  a 
wicked,  horribly  wicked  city;  and  if  the  people  do  not 
reform  I  think  they  will  be  let  loose  upon  one  another, 
or  else  God  will  send  pestilence  among  them,  and  slay 
them  by  hundreds  and  thousands.  The  spirit  of  prayer 
has  departed,  and  the  spiritual  watchmen  have  ceased 
to  cry  aloud  among  all  sects  and  denominations.  For 
their  unfaithfulness  they  will  be  smitten  in  anger:  for 
sleepy  silence  in  the  house  of  God.  which  ought  to  re- 
sound with  the  voice  of  praise  and  frequent  prayer,  the 
Lord  will  visit  their  streets  with  the  silence  of  desolation. 

Sept.  ii.  I  rode  to  Duck  Creek  Crossroads,  Dela- 
ware, to  hold  Conference.  We  were  fidl  of  business,  and 
had  life  and  liberty.  I  met  the  leaders  and  local  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry,  and  we  had  a  powerful  time.  I  re- 
cjuested  them  to  give  an  account  of  their  past  and  present 
experience,  the  state  of  their  respective  families,  and  the 
classes  they  had  charge  of.  together  with  the  prospects 
of  religion  where  they  lived.  They  understood  me,  and 
spoke  much  to  the  purpose.  We  parted  with  a  good  love 
feast,  from  which  the  gay  and  the  worldly,  at  least,  were 
excluded,  if  it  did  not  keep  out  sinners,  Pharisees,  and 
hypocrites. 

Sept.  30.  We  had  a  crowded  congregation,  and  some 
melting  among  the  people  while  I  enlarged  on,  "Almost 
thou  persuadest  me  to  be  a  Christian."    I  endeavored  to, 


350  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

I.  Point  out  the  genuine  marks  of  a  Christian;  2.  Remove 
the  objection  against  these  marks;  and  3.  Persuade  by 
applying  to  the  hopes  and  fears  of  my  hearers. 

Oct.  10.  I  stopped  a  day  at  Judge  White's,  and  read 
in  haste  the  most  essential  parts  of  Jefferson's  Notes.  I 
have  thought  it  may  be  I  am  safer  to  be  occasionally 
among  the  people  of  the  world  than  wholly  confined  to 
the  indulgent  people  of  God.  He  who  sometimes  suffers 
from  a  famine  will  the  better  know  how  to  relish  a  feast. 

Oct.  22.    Rode  to  Cokesbury.    All  is  not  well  there. 

Oct.  28.  Contrary  to  my  wish,  T  was  constrained  to 
ride  to  Annapolis,  which  I  reached  about  eleven  o'clock, 
and  gave  them  a  sermon  on  i  Pet.  3.  18. 

Oct.  30.  Came  to  Baltimore  in  a  storm  of  rain.  While 
we  were  sitting  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Rogers,  in  came  Dr. 
Coke,  of  whose  arrival  we  had  not  heard,  and  whom  we 
embraced  with  great  love. 

The  First  General  Conference 

Nov.  I.  I  felt  awful  at  the  General  Conference,  vs^hich 
began  to-day. 

It  is  generally  conceded  that  Bishop  Asbury  did  not  desire 
this  General  Conference.  It  was  simply  a  mass  meeting  of  all 
the  traveling  preachers,  and  he  feared  that  there  might  be 
unwarranted  and  disastrous  alterations  of  the  Discipline. 

At  my  desire  they  appointed  a  moderator,  and  prepar- 
atory committee,  to  keep  order  and  bring  forward  the 
business  with  regularity.  We  had  heavy  debates  on  the 
first,  second,  and  third  sections  of  our  Form  of  Discipline. 
My  power  to  station  the  preachers  without  an  appeal  was 
much  debated,  but  finally  carried  by  a  very  large  majority. 

James  O'Kelly  introduced  the  following  resolution,  which 
after  a  three  days'  debate  was  finally  lost  by  a  large  majority: 

"After  the  bishop  appoints  the  preachers  at  the  Conference 
to  their  several  circuits,  if  an^'^one  think  himself  injured  by  the 
appointment,  he  shall  have  liberty  to  appeal  to  the  Conference 
and  state  his  objections;  and  if  the  Conference  approve  his 
objections  the  bishop  shall  appoint  him  to  another  circuit." 


T792J 


GRIEVED  FOR  OTHERS 


351 


Tcrliaps  a  new  bishoi),  new  Conference,  and  new  laws 
would  have  better  pleased  some.  I  have  been  much 
grieved  for  others,  and  distressed  with  the  burden  1  bear, 
and  must  hereafter  bear. 


THE     SEAT     OF     THE     EARLY     GENERAL     CONFERENCES     IN 
BALTIMORE. 


Light  Street  parsonage,  showing  outside  stairway. 
The  upper  room  where  the  Conference  met. 

Nov.  8.  Some  individuals  among  the  preachers  having 
their  jealousies  about  mv  influence  in  the  Conference,  I 
gave  the  matter  wholly  up  to  them,  and  to  Dr.   Coke, 


352  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

who   presided.      Meantime   I    sent    them   the    following 
letter: 

My  Dear  Brethren  :  Let  my  absence  give  you  no 
pain ;  Dr.  Coke  presides.  I  am  happily  excused  from  as- 
sisting to  make  laws  by  which  myself  am  to  be  governed ; 
I  have  only  to  obey  and  execute.  I  am  happy  in  the 
consideration  that  I  never  stationed  a  preacher  through 
enmity,  or  as  a  punishment.  I  have  acted  for  the  glory 
of  God,  the  good  of  the  people,  and  to  promote  the  use- 
fulness of  the  preachers.  Are  you  sure  that,  if  you  please 
yourselves,  the  people  will  be  as  fully  satisfied?  They 
often  say,  "Let  us  have  such  a  preacher" ;  and  sometimes, 
"We  will  not  have  such  a  preacher ;  we  will  sooner  pay 
him  to  stay  at  home."  Perhaps  I  must  say,  "His  appeal 
forced  him  upon  you."  I  am  one,  ye  are  many.  I  am 
as  willing  to  serve  you  as  ever.  I  want  not  to  sit  in  any 
man's  way.  I  scorn  to  solicit  votes.  I  am  a  very  trem- 
bling, poor  creature  to  hear  praise  or  dispraise.  Speak 
your  minds  freely ;  but  remember,  you  are  only  making 
laws  for  the  present  time.  It  may  be  that  as  in  some  other 
things,  so  in  this,  a  future  day  may  give  you  further  light. 

I  am  not  fond  of  altercations ;  we  cannot  please  every- 
body, and  sometimes  not  ourselves.    I  am  resigned. 

The  O'Kelly  Schism 

Mr.  O'Kelly,  being  disappointed  in  not  getting  an 
appeal  from  any  station  made  by  me,  withdrew  from  the 
connection,  and  went  off.  For  himself,  the  Conference 
well  knew  he  could  not  complain  of  the  regulation.  He 
had  been  located  to  the  South  district  of  Virginia  for 
about  ten  succeeding  years,  and  upon  his  plan  might 
have  located  himself,  and  any  preacher,  or  set  of  preach- 
ers, to  the  district,  whether  the  people  wished  to  have 
them  or  not.  The  General  Conference  went  through  the 
Discipline,  Articles  of  Faith,  Forms  of  Baptism,  Matri- 


1792]  NOTABLE  WITHDRAWALS  353 

mony,  and  the  Burial  of  the  Dead ;  as  also  the  Offices  of 
Ordination.  The  Conference  ended  in  peace,  after  vot- 
ing another  General  Conference  to  be  held  four  years 
hence.  By  desire  of  my  brethren,  I  preached  once  on 
I  Pet.  3.  8.  My  mind  was  kept  in  peace,  and  my  soul 
enjoyed  rest  in  the  Stronghold. 

Nov.   16.     I  left  Baltimore,  and,  contrary  to  my  first 

intention,  called  on  the  widovv  H ,  whose  daughter 

was  awakened  the  last  time  I  was  here,  and  still  con- 
tinues to  be  happy  in  the  Lord.  I  met  the  sisters  here, 
and  urged  prayer  meeting.  Perhaps  it  was  for  this  I 
unexpectedly  came  here. 

Nov.  25.  Came  to  Manchester,  and  preached  in  the 
afternoon,  and  felt  life  among  the  people  and  the  preach- 
ers who  were  met  for  the  District  Conference.  I  met  the 
preachers  in  band,  and  found  their  fears  were  greatly 
removed ;  union  and  love  prevailed,  and  all  things  went 
on  well.  William  McKendree  and  Rice  Haggard  sent 
me  their  resignation  in  writing. 

McKendree  afterward  returned,  and  when  he  was  made 
bishop  stood  as  firmly  for  the  Episcopal  prerogative  as  he  had 
opposed  it  in  Baltimore. 

We  agreed  to  let  our  displeased  brethren  still  preach 
among  us ;  and  as  Mr.  O'Kelly  is  almost  worn  out,  the 
Conference  acceded  to  my  proposal  o.f  giving  him  his  £40 
per  annum,  as  when  he  traveled  in  the  connection,  pro- 
vided he  was  peaceable,  and  forbore  to  excite  divisions 
among  the  brethren. 

For  a  parj  of  that  year  only  he  received  it,  and  then  left  "to 
form  a  new  and  pure  church." 

The  General  Conference  and  the  District  Conferences 
have  kept  us  a  long  time  from  our  work  ;  but  after  all 
Satan's  spite  I  think  our  sifting  and  shaking  will  be  for 
good.  I  expect  a  glorious  revival  will  take  place  in 
America,  and  thousands  be  broufrht  to  God. 


354  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1792 

Dec.  6.  Rode  through  the  rain  to  Edward  Drom- 
goole's ;  here  I  found  a  few  friends  and  formed  a  con- 
stitution for  a  district  school,  which,  with  httle  alteration, 
will  form  a  general  rule  for  any  part  of  the  continent. 

Dec.  8.  I  once  more  visited  Owen  Myrick,  whose  wife 
is  gone,  and  from  all  we  can  learn  departed  in  a  good  old 
age,  in  triumph  to  glory  ;  the  dear  old  man  is  much  dis- 
spirited.  We  spent  the  evening  together  very  solemnly, 
remembering  the  occurrences  of  nineteen  years  ago,  now 
gone  as  yesterday — 

"  Short  as  the  watch  that  ends  the  night 
Before  the  rising  sun." 

The  cause  of  his  slaves  was  not  forgotten. 

Dec.  II.  Rode  to  Green  Hill's,  near  Lewisburg.  Here 
I  met  the  preachers  in  Conference,  and  we  were  closely 
employed  until  Saturday  morning.  We  had  about  forty 
preachers  from  the  two  districts  in  North  Carolina. 

Many  Conversions 

Dec.  18.  The  great  love  and  union  which  prevailed 
at  the  late  Conference  makes  me  hope  many  souls  will 
be  converted  in  the  ensuing  year.  An  account  was 
brought  in  of  the  conversion  of  about  three  hundred 
souls  last  week  within  its  limits,  chiefly  in  the  lowland 
circuits.  Glory  be  to  God !  I  feel  that  he  is  with  us ; 
and  I  have  good  evidence  that  fifteen  or  eighteen  hun- 
dred souls  have  professed  to  have  been  converted  in  the 
United  States  within  the  past  twelve  months. 

Christmas  Eve.  We  rode  in  the  rain  twenty-five  miles 
to  our  kind  Brother  Horton's,  and  found  many  people 
had  gathered. 

Christmas  Day.  Although  the  weather  was  cold 
and  damp,  and  unhealthy,  with  signs  of  snow,  we  rode 
forty-five  miles  to  dear  Brother  Rembert's,  kind  and 
good,  rich  and  liberal,  who  has  done  more  for  the  poor 
Methodists  than  any  man  in  South  Carolina. 


1793]  REMBERT  HALL  355 

Colonel  James  Rcmbert  was  a  wealthy  slave  owner,  who 
lived  in  Black  River  in  South  Carolina.  Rembert  Hall  was  on 
Asbury's  route  to  Charleston,  and  once  a  year  he  found  delight- 
ful shelter  there. 

Hammett  Again 

Dec.  29.  Rode  thirty-three  miles  to  Charleston,  and 
found  our  little  flock  in  peace,  and  a  small  revival  among 
them.  Mr.  Hammett  has  raised  a  grand  house,  and  has 
written  an  appeal  to  the  British  Conference.  He  repre- 
sents Dr.  Coke  as  a  sacrilegious  tyrant  and  murderer. 
I  have  no  doubt  but  the  doctor  will  be  able  to  make  good 
his  cause.  As  to  Hammett^  time  will  show  the  man  and 
the  people  who  have  made  lies  their  refuge. 

Dec.  30.  In  the  afternoon  I  said  a  little  on  Isa. 
9.  6,  7.  The  blacks  were  hardly  restrained  from  crying 
out  aloud.  O  that  God  would  bless  the  wild  and  wicked 
inhabitants  of  this  city !  I  am  happy  to  find  that  our 
principal  friends  have  increased  in  religion.  Accounts 
from  Philadelphia  are  pleasing ;  souls  are  converted  to 
God.  There  is  also  a  move  in  New  York,  and  their 
numbers  are  daily  increasing.  On  reviewing  the  labors 
of  the  last  six  weeks  I  find  we  have  rested  about  four- 
teen days  at  Conferences,  and  ridden  at  least  seven 
hundred  miles. 

J  AX.  3.  1793.  From  Wednesday,  December  26,  to  this 
day,  Sunday  excepted,  we  sat  in  Conference  in  this  city. 

J.\x.8.  We  passed  Augusta  (Georgia),  and  rode  thirty- 
seven  miles  to  Haynes's,  where  we  were  treated  kindly. 
Thence,  next  day,  to  Washington,  forty-four  miles. 

Georgia  and  South  Carolina  Conferences  United 

Jan.  10.  Met  our  dear  brethren  in  Conference.  We 
had  great  peace  and  union ;  the  Carolina  preachers  came 
up  to  change  with  those  in  Georgia ;  all  things  happened 
well.  We  now  agreed  to  unite  the  Georgia  and  South 
Carolina   Conferences,   to   meet   in   the   fork   of   Saluda 


356  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1793 

and  Broad  Rivers,  on  the  first  of  January,  1794.  Our 
sitting  ended  in  exceeding  great  love. 

Jan.  13.  We  had  sacrament,  love  feast,  and  ordina- 
tion. I  felt  very  serious,  and  was  very  pointed  on  Acts 
20.  26,  27.  I  have  now  had  an  opportunity  of  speaking 
in  Washington ;  most  of  the  people  attended  to  hear 
tills  man  that  rambles  tlirongh  the  United  States. 

Jan.  14.  I  preached  in  the  new  house  at  Grant's,  on, 
"He  that  overcometh  shall  inherit  all  things,  and  I  will 
be  his  God,  and  he  shall  be  my  son":  i.  The  Christian 
soldier  has  to  overcome  the  world,  sin,  and  the  devil, 
with  his  temptation ;  2.  He  fights  under  the  banner  of 
Christ,  who  is  the  Captain  of  his  salvation ;  3.  His  armor 
is  described  by  Saint  Paul,  Eph.  6 ;  4.  His  inheritance, 
Christian  tempers,  and  the  things  promised  to  the  seven 
churches,  and,  finally,  glory,  "Will  be  his  God,"  giving 
him  wisdom,  truth,  love,  "He  shall  be  my  son,"  a  son 
partakes  of  the  nature  and  property  of  the  father,  and 
doeth  his  will ;  so  it  is  with  those  who  are  the  children  of 
God.  Our  dear  Georgia  brethren  seem  to  think  some 
of  us  shall  visit  them  no  more :  they  appear  to  be  much 
humbled,  and  will  not  give  up  the  traveling  preachers. 
I  am  now  bound  for  Savannah ;  where  I  may  see  the  for- 
mer walks  of  a  dear  Wesley  and  Whitefield,  whom  I 
hope  to  meet  in  the  new  Jerusalem. 

Whitefield's  Orphanage  in  Rtiins 

Jan.  29.  We  reach  Savannah.  Next  day  I  rode 
twelve  miles  along  a  fine  sandy  road  to  view  the  ruins 
of  Mr.  Whitefield's  Orphan  House.  We  found  the  place, 
and,  having  seen  the  copperplate,  which  I  recognized, 
I  felt  very  awful ;  the  wings  are  yet  standing,  though 
much  injured,  and  the  schoolhouse  still  more.  It  is 
reported  that  Mr.  Whitefield  observed,  while  eating  his 
last  dinner  in  the  house,  "This  house  was  built  for  God ; 
and  cursed  be  the  man  that  puts  it  to  any  other  use." 


1793]  VISITS  EVERY  AFTERNOON  357 

The  land  for  the  sui)i)()rt  of  the  school  is  of  little  value, 
except  two  rice  plantations,  which  we  passed  in  our 
route. 

Feb.  2.  I  am  not  enough  in  prayer.  I  have  said  more 
than  was  for  the  glory  of  (jod  concerning  those  who  have 
left  the  American  connection,  and  who  have  reviled  Mr. 
Wesley,  Mr.  Fletcher,  Dr.  Coke,  and  poor  me.  O  that 
I  could  trust  the  Lord  more  than  I  do,  and  leave  his 
cause  wholly  in  his  own  hands. 

A  Methodist  Burying  Ground 

Feb.  8  (Charleston).  I  have  got  through  Mr.  Wes- 
ley's Journal  as  far  as  1782.  Finding  the  suhscription 
set  on  foot  at  the  Conference  to  purchase  a  hurying 
ground  and  huild  a  house  was  likely  to  succeed,  we 
began  to  think  a])(mt  looking  out  for  a  lot.  I  also  see 
a  prospect  of  stationing  two  preachers  here. 

Fed.  10.  I  preached  wnth  some  life  on  Ezek.  36. 
25,  26 ;  but,  alas !  the  people  are  so  dissipated,  and  so 
ignorant  of  Gospel  truth,  that  it  is  difficult  to  preach 
to  them ;  but  I  cannot  spare,  though  they  keep  their 
course  to  hell.  At  night  I  spoke  on  Lsa.  6.  8-10.  Our 
congregation  consists  of  five  hundred  souls  and  upward, 
three  hundred  being  black. 

Feb.  12.  I  make  it  my  work  to  visit  every  afternoon. 
I  happily  met  with  ]\lr.  Wesley's  Journal,  bringing  the 
date  down  to  two  years  before  his  death.  I  could  not 
but  specially  notice  that  his  latter  days  were  more  abun- 
dant in  labors,  and  that  he  preached  in  places  formerly 
unnoticed.  He  made  this  observation  that  it  is  rare,  a 
mere  miracle,  for  a  Methodist  to  increase  in  wealth  and 
not  decrease  in  grace.  We  have  two  hundred  and  seven- 
teen traveling  preachers,  and  about  fifty  thousand  mem- 
bers in  the  United  States. 

Feb.  17.  I  preached  on  Rom.  3.  11-21  ;  in  the  evening 
on  Luke  16.  31.     The  building  of  a  new  house,  and  sta- 


3s8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1793 

tioning  another  preacher  in  this  city,  and  the  state  of  this 
and  the  Georgia  districts,  with  things  relative  to  indi- 
viduals in  this  society,  do  not  work  to  my  mind.  Some 
wish  union  ;  others  will  come  '  back.  The  union  must 
first  take  place  with  Dr.  Coke,  then  with  the  British 
Conference,  and  then  with  the  American.  I  ask,  who 
made  us  twain,  and  strove  to  scatter  firebrands,  arrows, 
and  death  through  the  whole  continent  ? 

Slanders  Against  Asbury 

Mar.  24.  I  heard  there  was  a  Conference  appointed 
at  Reese's  Chapel,  in  Charlotte  County,  Virginia,  to 
form  what  they  call  a  free  constitution,  and  a  pure 
church,  and  to  reject  me  and  my  creatures.  I  know 
not  whose  hand  is  in  this ;  I  hope  they  will  call  them- 
selves by  another  name.  Only  let  them  settle  in  congre- 
gations, and  tax  the  people,  and  I  know  how  it  will 
work.  If  we  (the  itinerant  connection)  would  give  the 
government  into  the  hands  of  a  local  ministry,  as  some 
would  have  it,  and  tax  the  people  to  pay  preachers  for 
Sabbath  work,  this  would  please  such  men ;  but  this  we 
dare  not  do.  Whenever  the  people  are  unwilling  to  re- 
ceive us,  and  think  they  can  do  better,  we  will  quietly 
withdraw  from  them ;  and  if  those  who  wish  the  change 
can  serve  them  better  than  we  have  done,  well.     Perhaps 

some  of  them  may  think  with  ,  in  Georgia,  that  I 

am  the  greatest  villain  on  the  continent ;  I  bid  such  adieu, 
and  appeal  to  the  bar  of  God.  I  have  no  time  to  contend, 
having  better  work  to  do ;  if  we  lose  some  children,  God 
will  give  us  more.  Ah !  this  is  the  mercy,  the  justice  of 
some,  who,  under  God,  owe  their  all  to  me,  and  my 
tyrants,  so  called.  The  Lord  judge  between  them  and 
me !  There  appears  to  be  a  general  quickening  in  the 
Yadkin  Circuit,  and  about  eight  souls  have  professed 
conversion  there  in  the  last  eight  months. 

Mar.  27.     We  began  our  journey  over  the  great  ridge 


1793]  OVER  THE  MOUNTAINS  359 

of  mountains  ;  we  had  not  gone  far  before  we  saw  and 
felt  the  snow ;  the  sharpness  of  the  air  gave  me  a  deep 


IN    THE       LAND    OF    THE    SK\ 


Country  near  Asheville,   North  Carolina,  penetrated  by  Asbury   on 
horseback. 

cold,  not  unlike  an  influenza.     We  came  to  the  head  of 
Watauga  River.    My  soul  felt  for  these  neglected  people. 


36o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1793 

It  may  be,  by  my  coming  this  way,  Providence  will  so 
order  it  that  I  shall  send  them  a  preacher. 

Mar.  29  (Tennessee).  We  took  our  journey  deliber- 
ately. We  passed  Doe  River  at  the  fork,  and  came 
through  the  Gap ;  a  most  gloomy  scene,  not  unlike  the 
Shades    of    Death    in    the    Alleghany    Mountain.      Mr. 

L ,  a  kind   Presbyterian,   fed  our  horses  gratis.      I 

must  give  the  Presbyterians  the  preference  for  respect 
to  ministers.  To  our  sorrow  we  find  it  low  times  for 
religion  on  Holston  and  Watauga  Rivers.  In  Green 
Circuit  there  is  some  increase.  My  way  opens,  and  I 
think  I  shall  go  to  Kentucky.  I  laid  my  hands  on  what 
is  called  The  Principles  of  Politeness,  imitated  from 
Chesterfield.  It  contains  some  judicious  remarks,  and 
shows  the  author  to  have  been  a  man  of  sense  and  edu- 
cation, but  of  no  religion.  He  recommends  some  things 
contrary  thereto. 

Apr.  2.  Our  Conference  began  at  Nelson's,  near 
Jonesboro,  in  the  new  territory.  We  have  only  four  or 
five  families  of  Methodists  here.  We  had  sweet  peace  in 
our  Conference. 

Apr.  5.  Rode  to  Nollichucky,  and  attended  a  meet- 
ing at  Squire  E 's,  where  I  had  about  two  hundred 

hearers.  We  have  formed  a  society  in  this  place  of 
thirty-one  members,  most  of  them  new.  There  are  ap- 
pearances of  danger  on  the  road  to  Kentucky ;  but  the 
Lord  is  with  us.  We  have  formed  a  company  of  nine 
men,  five  of  whom  are  preachers,  who  are  well  armed 
and  mounted. 

Fords  the  Nollichticky 

Apr.  6.  Crossed  the  grand  island  ford  of  Nolli- 
chucky ;  the  lowlands  are  very  rich,  the  uplands  barren. 
Stopped  and  fed  at  Green  Courthouse ;  here  was  brought 
a  corpse  to  the  grave  in  a  covered  carriage  drawn  by  four 
horses.     Solemn  sight !     Be  instructed,  O  my  soul !     A 


1793]  DESIRES  ANOTHER  BISHOP  361 

whisky  toper  gave  nie  a  cheer  of  success  as  one  of  John 
Wesley's  congregation !  I  came  on  alone  through  heavy 
rains,  over  bad  hills  and  poor  ridges,  to  Brother  Van 
Pelt's,  on  Lick  Creek ;  he  is  brother  to  Peter,  my  old, 
first  friend  on  Statcn  Island.  I  was  weary,  damp,  and 
hungry,  but  had  a  comfortable  habitation,  and  kind,  lov- 
ing people,  who  heard,  refreshed,  and  fed  me.  We  had 
a  large  congregation  at  Brother  Van  Pelt's  Chapel,  where 
I  had  liberty  in  speaking.  I  left  the  young  men  to  enter- 
tain the  people  a  while  longer,  and  returned  and  read 
Mr.  Wesley's  Sermon  on  Riches. 

"Wilderness  Dangers 

If  reports  be  true,  there  is  danger  in  journeying  through 
the  wilderness ;  but  I  do  not  fear,  we  go  armed.  If  God 
suffer  Satan  to  drive  the  Indians  on  us ;  if  it  be  his  will, 
he  will  teach  our  hands  to  war,  and  our  fingers  to  fight 
and  conquer. 

Apr.  10  (Kentucky).  We  hasted  on  our  way,  meeting 
with  our  troubles  at  the  foot  of  Cumberland  Mountain ; 
we  then  went  foremost,  and  traveled  at  a  great  rate,  the 
roads  being  uncommonly  good.  We  fed  on  the  banks 
of  Cumberland  River,  and  kept  up  the  head  of  Rich 
Lands.  We  then  pushed  through  Little  and  Big  Laurel 
to  the  Hazel  Patch,  Hood's  Station.  Here  there  was 
high  life  below  stairs,  talking,  laughing,  etc.  We  had  a 
troop  of  poor,  very  poor  sinners ;  I  gave  dreadful  offense 
by  a  prayer  I  made.  After  resting  here  from  three  to  six 
we  urged  our  way  along  the  new  road  to  Rock  Castle. 
Fed  at  the  deserted  station,  and  hasted  to  Willis  Green's ; 
but,  missing  our  way,  did  not  get  in  until  eight  o'clock. 
A  supper  at  that  time  was  good,  and  a  bed  was  better, 
having  not  slept  in  one  for  three  nights,  and  having  rid- 
den one  hundred  miles  in  two  days. 

Apr.  13.  We  rode  thirty-three  miles  down  to  a  quar- 
terly meeting  at  Ilumphries's  Chapel.    Here  my  presence 


362  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1793 

surprised  the  brethren.  The  state  of  the  work  here  ap- 
pears to  be  low.  From  the  quarterly  meeting  we  came 
to  Colonel  Harding's.  He  has  been  gone  some  time,  as 
a  commissioner,  to  treat  with  the  Indians ;  if  he  is  dead, 
here  are  a  widow  and  six  children  left.  I  cannot  stand 
quarterly  meetings  every  day.  None  need  desire  to  be 
an  American  bishop  upon  our  plan,  for  the  ease,  honor, 
or  interest  that  attends  the  office.  From  my  present 
views  and  feelings,  I  am  led  to  wish  the  Conference 
would  elect  another  bishop,  which  might  afford  me  some 
help. 

Apr.  21.  We  had  sacrament  and  love  feast;  and  some 
spoke  much  to  the  purpose;  my  subject  was  Heb.  6.  4-8. 
The  congregation  was  very  large.  I  endeavored  to 
show,  I.  How  far  people  may  advance  in  the  grace  of 
God ;  2.  By  what  degrees  they  may  apostatize ;  3.  The 
impossibility  of  a  recovery  when  they  arrive  at  a  certain 
degree  of  wickedness  :  ( i )  Because  they  sin  against  God, 
Christ,  and  the  Eternal  Spirit,  and  lose  all  they  ever  felt 
or  knew;  (2)  Every  means  is  lost  upon  them;  to  sin 
against  the  remedy,  is  to  be  undone  without  it.  The 
difference  between  those  who  are  recoverable  and  those 
who  are  not :  such  are  not  who  deny  the  work  to  be  of 
God,  persecute,  and  say  the  devil  was  the  author  of  it ; 
the  others  acknowledge  the  work  that  it  was  of  God,  and 
have  some  regard  for  his  people.  Lastly,  that  the  only 
security  pointed  out  by  the  apostles  against  apostasy  is 
to  go  on  to  perfection. 

Apr.  23.  I  was  at  Bethel,  the  place  intended  for  a 
school. 

Apr.  30  to  May  2.  We  spent  in  Conference,  and  in 
openly  speaking  our  minds  to  each  other.  We  ended 
under  the  melting,  praying,  praising  power  of  God.  We 
appointed  trustees  for  the  school,  and  made  sundry  reg- 
ulations relative  thereto.  We  read  the  Form  of  Discipline 
through,  section  by  section,  in  Conference. 


1793]  CRAB  ORCHARD  363 

May  3.  I  preached  on  Hab.  3.  2.  I  pointed  out: 
I.  The  distingnishing-  marks  of  a  work  of  God;  2.  The 
subjects;  3.  The  instruments;  4.  The  means.  If  ever  I 
dehvered  my  own  soul  T  think  T  have  done  it  this  day. 

Itinerant  Perils 

May  7.  We  rode  down  to  the  Crab  Orchard,  where  we 
found  company  enough,  some  of  whom  were  very  wild. 
We  had  a  company  of  our  own,  and  refused  to  go  with 
them.  Some  of  them  gave  us  very  abusive  language, 
and  one  man  went  upon  a  hill  above  us.  and  fired  a  pistol 
toward  our  company.  We  resolved  to  travel  in  our 
order,  and  bound  ourselves  by  honor  and  conscience  to 
support  and  defend  each  other,  and  to  see  every  man 
through  the  wilderness.  But  we  could  not  depend  upon 
wicked  and  unprincipled  men,  who  would  leave  and  neg- 
lect us,  and  even  curse  us  to  our  faces.  Nor  were  we 
at  liberty  to  mix  with  swearers,  liars,  drunkards ;  and, 
for  aught  we  know,  this  may  not  be  the  worst  with 
some.  We  were  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  in  company, 
and  had  twelve  guns  and  pistols.  We  rode  on  near  the 
defeated  camp,  and  rested  till  three  o'clock  under  great 
suspicion  of  Indians.  We  pushed  forward,  and  by  rid- 
ing forty-five  miles  on  Wednesday,  and  about  the  same 
distance  on  Thursday,  we  came  safe  to  Robinson's  Sta- 
tion, about  eight  o'clock. 

May  II.  I  have  traveled  between  five  and  six  hundred 
miles  in  the  last  four  weeks,  and  have  rested  from  riding 
fifteen  days  at  Conferences  and  other  places. 

General  Rtissell  Dead 

May  18.  Came  to  Sister  Russell's.  I  am  very  solenm. 
I  feel  the  want  of  the  dear  man  who,  I  trust,  is  now  in 
Abraham's  bosom,  and  hope  ere  long  to  see  him  there. 
He  was  a  general  officer  in  the  continental  army,  where 
he  underwent  great  fatigue ;  he  was  powerfully  brought 


364 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1793 


to  God,  and  for  a  few  years  past  was  a  living  flame,  and 
a  blessing  to  his  neighborhood.  He  went  in  the  dead  of 
winter  on  a  visit  to  his  friends ;  was  seized  with  influ- 
enza, and  ended  his  life  from  home.  O  that  the  gospel 
may  continue  in  this  house!  I  preached  on  Heb.  12.  1-4, 
and  there  followed  several  exhortations.  We  then  ad- 
ministered the  sacrament,   and   there  was   weeping  and 


OLD   REHOBOTH    CHURCH,    NEAR    UNION,    MONROE   COUNTY, 
VIRGINIA.      BUILT,    I786. 

Bishop  Asbury  opened  this  chapel,  and  held  Conference  in  it  in  1792, 
1793,  and  1796. 

shouting  among  the  people ;  our  exercises  lasted  about 
five  hours. 

May  24.  Came  to  Rehoboth,  in  the  sinks  of  Green- 
brier, where  we  held  our  Conference.  I  was  greatly 
comforted  at  the  sight  of  Brother  Ellis  Cox.  We  had 
peace  in  our  Conference,  and  were  happy  in  our  cabin. 
I  learn  that  mischief  is  begun  in  the  lower  parts  of  Vir- 
ginia ;  J.  O'Kelly,  and  some  of  the  local  preachers,  are 


1 793]  THOMAS  A  KEMPIS  365 

the  promoters  and  cncouragers  of  divisions  among  the 
brethren. 

May  28.  I  wrote  many  letters  to  the  South  district  of 
Virginia,  to  confirm  the  souls  of  the  people,  and  guard 
them  against  the  division  that  is  attempted  among  them. 

Bath,  that  Seat  of  Sin 

Ji^NE  7.  We  rode  to  Bath,  that  seat  of  sin.  Here  we 
continued  to  rest  ourselves ;  my  public  work  was  a  ser- 
mon on  the  Sabbath.  A  number  of  our  society  from  vari- 
ous parts  being  here,  I  have  an  opportunity  of  receiving 
and  answering  many  letters.  I  am  afraid  I  shall  spend 
nine  or  ten  days  here  to  little  purpose.  I  employ  myself 
in  reading  Thomas  a  Kempis  and  the  Bible.  I  also  have 
an  opportunity  of  going  alone  into  the  silent  grove,  and 
of  viewing  the  continent,  and  examining  my  own  heart. 
The  people  here  are  so  gay  and  idle  that  I  doubt  there 
being  much  good  done  among  them.  The  troubles  of  the 
East  and  West  meet  me  as  I  pass. 

June  27.  Was  to  me  a  day  of  trial.  We  set  out  late 
toward  Northumberland :  night  coming  on,  we  stopped 
at  Penn's  Creek.  Next  morning  we  went  to  Northum- 
berland to  breakfast.  It  has  a  little  chapel,  that  serves  as 
a  schoolhouse,  belonging  to  the  Methodists.  We  have  a 
few  kind,  respectable  friends,  whose  circumstances  are 
comfortable.  I  gave  them  a  sermon  on  John  14.  6,  and 
in  the  afternoon  paid  Sunbury  a  visit.  The  people  here 
are  almost  all  Dutch.  I  was  enabled  to  speak  alarming 
words  on  Acts  4.  12. 

July  2.  After  preaching  on  "the  grace  of  God  ap- 
pearing to  all  men,"  we  wrought  up  the  hills  and 
narrows  to  Wyoming.  We  stopped  at  a  poor  house; 
nevertheless,  they  were  rich  enough  to  sell  us  a  half 
bushel  of  oats,  and  had  sense  enough  to  make  us  pay 
well  for  them. 

July  4.     Being  the  anniversary  of  the  American  in- 


366  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1793 

dependence,  there  was  a  great  noise  among  the  sinners. 
A  few  of  us  went  down  to  Shawanee ;  called  a  few  people 
from  their  work,  and  found  it  good  for  us  to  be 
there.    If  we  are  Christ's  we  are  free  indeed. 

Among  Strangers,  yet  Well-known 

July  10  (New  Jersey).  We  came  to  Broadhead's, 
and  were  totally  unknown.  I  was  sick,  and  stopped  for 
breakfast.  They  suspected  we  were  preachers ;  one  asked 
Brother  Hill  who  I  was ;  being  informed,  the  mother,  son, 
and  daughter  came  running  with  tears  to  speak  with  me. 
I  stopped,  and  gave  them  a  sermon  at  Marbletown. 
I  found  the  work  of  God  going  on  among  the  Low 
Dutch ;  these,  of  all  the  people  in  America,  we  have  done 
the  least  with. 

July  13  (New  York).  We  rode  to  Coeyman's  Patent; 
we  had  a  good  quarterly  meeting.  Many  newlv  con- 
verted souls  testified  of  the  goodness  of  God,  and  of  the 
power  of  his  grace.  From  thence  to  Albany  with  re- 
luctance, and  lectured,  being  Sabbath  evening.  Great 
changes  will  be  made  among  the  preachers  from  this 
Conference :  some  will  be  sent  to  New  Jersey,  others  to 
Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts.  The  people  of  Albany 
roll  in  wealth ;  they  have  no  heart  to  invite  any  of  the 
servants  of  God  to  their  houses ;  unless  a  great  change 
should  take  place,  we  shall  have  no  more  Conferences 
here.  I  am  tied  down  with  fatigue  and  labor,  under 
great  weakness  of  body.  Yet  I  must  haste  to  Lynn — 
it  may  be,  to  meet  trouble.  But  my  days  will  be  short. 
We  hope  two  hundred  souls  have  been  awakened,  and  as 
many  converted  in  Albany  District  the  past  year.  Our 
friends  are  happy  here,  not  being  distressed  with  divi- 
sions in  the  church,  nor  by  war  with  the  Indians,  as 
they  are  to  the  southward.  According  to  our  reckoning, 
we  make  it  about  four  hundred  and  forty-seven  miles 
from  Oldtown  to  Albany,  to  come  the  mountainous  road 


1793]  UNDER  THE  APPLE  TREES  367 

through  the  wockIs  ;  and  to  come  hy  Bahiniore,  Phila- 
delphia, and  New  York,  it  is  six  hundred  miles. 

July  28  (Massachusetts).  Reading  the  Scripture  in 
the  congregation  a])peared  to  be  a  new  thing  among  the 
people.  I  gave  them  a  lecture  under  the  apple  trees,  on 
Isa.  35.  3-6,  and  trust  my  lalK)r  was  not  lost,  as  they 
a]:)peared  much  interested. 

July  29.  We  rode  upward  of  thirty  miles,  through 
great  heat,  to  Lynn.  On  our  way  we  fed  -our  horses, 
and  bought  a  cake  and  some  cheese  for  ourselves ;  surely 
we  are  a  spectacle  to  men  and  angels !  The  last  nine  days 
we  have  ridden  upward  of  two  hundred  miles,  and,  all 
things  taken  together.  [  think  it  worse  than  the  wilder- 
ness.    The  country  abounds  with  rocks,  hills,  and  stones. 

Preaches  in  Lynn 

July  30.  Preached  in  Lynn,  on  2  Chron.  15.  2,  the 
prophecy  of  Azariah  by  the  Spirit:  i.  We  are  to  seek 
Jehovah  in  the  means ;  by  the  direction  of  the  Word  and 
Spirit ;  through  Christ,  by  repentance  and  faith ;  2.  The 
Lord  will  be  with  his  people,  as  a  Father  and  God ;  in 
his  wisdoni,  love,  truth,  and  mercy;  at  all  times  and 
places ;  in  every  strait  and  difficulty  ;  3.  We  should  be 
with  God  as  his  children,  to  fear,  trust  in,  worship,  and 
serve  him ;  4.  The  breach  of  the  covenant  by  idolatry, 
departing  from  the  love,  fear,  and  confidence  they  have 
in  him ;  5.  That  the  Lord  will  withdraw  from  such 
souls. 

Aug.  4.  We  had  preaching  at  six,  twelve,  two,  and 
seven  o'clock,  and  administered  the  Lord's  Supper  also. 
I  have  now  finished  my  work  at  Lynn.  Circumstances 
have  occurred  which  have  made  this  Conference  more 
painful  than  any  one  Conference  besides. 

Aug.  II  (Connecticut).  Our  Conference  sat  at  Tol- 
land. Lame  as  I  was,  I  went  through  the  business ;  and 
notwithstanding  I   was  tired  out  with  labor,  heat,   and 


368  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1793 

pain,  and  company.  I  must  also  preach ;  so  I  submitted, 
and  endeavored  to  apply  2  Tim.  2.  24-26.  Being  unable 
to  ride  on  horseback,  I  drove  on  in  a  carriage  through 
the  rain,  over  the  rocks,  in  the  dark,  and  came  to  Dr. 
Steel's,  at  Ellington. 

Aug.  15.  From  what  we  can  gather,  we  are  encour- 
aged to  hope  that  upward  of  three  hundred  souls  have 
been  awakened,  and  more  than  two  hundred  converted 
to  God,  the  last  year.  From  Hartford  I  came  to  Middle- 
town. 

Aug.  21  (New  York).  When  I  came  near  the  White 
Plains,  my  horse  started,  and  threw  me  into  a  mill  race 
knee  deep  in  water,  my  hands  and  side  in  the  dirt.  My 
shoulder  was  hurt  by  the  fall.  I  stopped  at  a  house, 
shifted  my  clothes,  and  prayed  with  the  people.  If  any 
of  these  people  are  awakened  by  my  stopping  there,  all 
will  be  well.  This  day  I  made  out  to  ride  thirty-three 
miles.    Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped. 

Relief  for  the  Frontier  Preachers  of  New  York 

Aug.  22.  Came  to  New  York.  The  weather  is  ex- 
tremely warm.  Great  afflictions  prevail  here-;— fevers,  in- 
fluenzas, etc.  It  is  very  sickly  also  in  Philadelphia.  I 
have  found  by  secret  search  that  I  have  not  preached 
sanctification  as  I  should  have  done.  If  I  am  restored, 
this  shall  be  my  theme  more  pointedly  than  ever,  God 
being  my  helper.  I  have  been  sick  upward  of  four 
months,  during  which  time  I  have  attended  to  my  busi- 
ness, and  ridden,  I  suppose,  not  less  than  three  thousand 
miles.  I  kept  close  house  in  New  York  until  Sunday, 
25;  then  I  attempted  to  preach  on  Rom.  13.  10-12.  The 
weather  being  warm  and  dry,  I  caught  an  influenza 
which  held  me  four  days,  and  this  in  addition  to  my 
fevers  and  lameness.  The  effects  of  this  weather  were 
sensibly  felt  by  every  member  of  the  Conference,  some 
of  whom  were  so  indisposed  that  they  could  not  attend. 


1793] 


EBENEZER  CHURCH 


369 


We  made  a  collection  of  £40  for  the  relief  of  the  preach- 
ers on  the  frontiers  of  New  York  and  Connecticut. 

Sept.  8  (Philadelphia).  I  i)reached  on  Isa.  58.  i: 
"Cry  aloud,  spare  not,  lift  up  thy  voice  like  a  trumpet, 
and  show  my  people  their  transgressions,  and  the  house 
of  Jacob  their  sins."  The  people  of  this  city  are 
alarmed,  and  well  they  may  be.  I  went  down  to  Eben- 
ezer,  a  church  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  but  my 
strength  was  gone ;  however,  I  endeavored  to  open  and 


■1%    ■>-•,_   M,         I     [\rrA^  ■      'M 


OLD  EBENEZER  CHURCH,  SOUTHWARK,  PHILADELPHIA. 


apply  Mic.  6.  9.  The  streets  are  now  depopulated,  and 
the  city  wears  a  gloomy  aspect.  All  night  long  my 
ears  and  heart  were  wounded  with  the  cry  of  fire !  O, 
how  awful !  And  what  made  it  still  more  serious,  two 
young  men  were  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  wall ;  one  of  them 
was  a  valuable  member  of  our  society.  Poor  Philadel- 
phia !  the  lofty  city,  He  layeth  it  low  !  We  appointed 
Tuesday  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  humiliation ;  I 
preached  on  i  Kings  8.  37-40.  and  had  a  large  and  very 
serious,  weeping  congregation.     The  preachers  left  the 


370  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1793 

city  on  Monday ;  I  remained  in  order  to  have  the  Min- 
ntcs  of  the  Conference  printed. 

Sept.  13  (Maryland).  Came  to  the  quarterly  meet- 
ing at  the  Crossroads,  where  there  were  crowds  of  peo- 
ple: I  gave  them  a  sermon  on,  "Yea,  in  the  way  of  thy 
judgments  have  we  waited  for  thee."  I  showed:  i.  That 
God  sent  pestilence,  famine,  locusts,  blasting,  mildew, 
and  caterpillars ;  and  that  only  the  church  and  people  of 
God  know,  and  believe  his  judgments;  2.  That  God's 
people  waited  for  him  in  the  w^ay  of  his  judgments;  and, 
3.  That  they  improved  and  profited  by  them.  About  one 
o'clock  we  set  out  and  rode  thirty-two  miles  to  Thomas 
White's,  and  spent  one  day  at  my  former  home. 

Plagae  in  Philadelphia 

Oct.  10.  Came  to  Baltimore ;  passed  the  guard 
against  the  plague  in  Philadelphia,  set  for  prudence,  one 
hundred  miles  off.  O,  the  plague  of  sin !  Would  to 
God  we  were  more  guarded  against  its  baleful  influence ! 
I  was  sick,  weary,  and  feeble ;  yet,  preaching  being  ap- 
pointed  for  me  in  town,   I   sounded  the  alarm  on  Jer. 

13.  16:  "Give  glory  to  the  Lord  your  God,  before  he 
cause  darkness,"  etc. 

Oct.  15.  I  had  a  large  congregation  of  serious  women 
at   Captain    Weems's.      To   these    I    preached   on    John 

14.  16:  I.  Christ  is  the  way  to  God  by  precept,  example, 
and  power ;  2.  The  truth,  the  true  Messiah,  revealing  the 
truths  of  God,  the  standard  and  judge  of  all ;  3.  The  life, 
by  his  merit  and  Spirit,  leading  to  the  knowledge  of  God 
in  his  perfections  and  glory. 

Oct.  3.  I  came  to  Baltimore,  and  preached  on  Amos 
3.  6-8. 

Oct.  21.  Our- Conference  began.  I  was  well  pleased 
with  the  stations,  and  the  faithful  talk  most  of  our  breth- 
ren gave  us  of  their  experience  and  exercises.  I  preached 
a  charity  sermon,  on,  "Hath  God  cast  away  his  people?" 


1793]  ASBURY  MISREPRESENTED  371 

We  collected  izj,  which  was  aui^mented  to  £43,  and 
applied  it  to  the  supplying'  the  wants  of  the  distressed 
preachers. 

Oct.  2^.  I  preached,  and  ordained  elders  and  dea- 
cons, at  the  Point,  and  at  night,  in  town,  spoke  on  Jer. 
9.   12-14. 

Nov.  10.  Preached  in  the  new  chapel  in  Prince  Ed- 
ward, on  Matt.  24.  12-14,  ^"(1  then  was  led  to  say  a 
few  thing's  for  myself:  as  to  my  coming  to  and  staying 
in  America  ;  of  the  exercise  of  that  power  which  was 
given  by  the  first  and  confirmed  by  the  last  General  Con- 
ference. Many  of  the  people  thought  me  not  that  mon- 
ster I  had  been  represented.  I  thought  this  the  more 
necessary  here,  as  great  pains  had  been  taken  to  mis- 
represent and  injure  me  in  this  congregation  and 
neighborhood. 

Following  his  withdrawal  from  the  Connection  after  the 
General  Conference  of  1792  O'Kelly  had  used  every  possible 
influence  to  rally  to  his  standard  of  revolt  the  preachers  and 
people  of  this  region  through  which  Asbury  was  now  journeying. 
He  had  succeeded  in  a  measure  only,  and  in  many  places  the 
hostile  movement  had  already  spent  its  force,  and  a  reaction 
had  set  in. 

Nov.  15.  I  had  a  few  serious  souls  at  Roses  Creek. 
Here  I  received  the  happy  tidings  from  John  Dickins 
that  he,  with  his  family,  had  been  preserved  during  the 
late  contagion  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

Conference  at  Petersburg 

Nov.  24.  Hasted  to  Petersburg.  Came  in  a  little  be- 
fore noon,  and  preached  on  Isa.  66.  4,  5. 

Nov.  25.  This  and  the  following  days  were  spent  in 
Conference.  The  preachers  were  united,  and  the  Lord 
was  with  us  of  a  truth.  There  were  fifty-five  preachers 
present.  I  had  some  difficulties  respecting  the  stations ; 
but  there  was  a  willingness  among  the  brethren  to  go 
where  they  were  appointed,  and  all  was  well.     Our  dis- 


372  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1793 

affected  brethren  have  liad  a  meeting  at  the  Piney  Grove, 
in  AmeHa  Circuit,  and  appointed  three  men  to  attend 
this  Conference.  One  of  these  delegates  appears  to  be 
satisfied,  and  has  received  ordination  among  us  since 
he  was  delegated  by  them ;  the  other  two  appeared,  and 
we  gave  them  a  long  talk.  My  mind  has  been  closely 
employed  in  the  business  of  the  Conference,  so  that  I 
have  slept  only  about  sixteen  hours  in  four  nights. 

Dec.  I.  My  mind  was  in  a  state  of  heaviness.  I 
endeavored  to  preach  on  2  Cor.  13.  5.  In  discoursing 
on  this  text  I  pursued  nearly  the  following  method : 
I.  Such  as  profess  to  have  experienced  religion  should 
examine  whether  they  have  not  let  some  fundamental 
doctrines  slip ;  2.  Examine  into  the  nature  and  effects  of 
faith ;  it  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  in  a  peni- 
tent state ;  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen,  in  a 
justified  state ;  3.  They  should  know  themselves,  whether 
they  are  seekers,  believers,  or  backsliders ;  4.  They  should 
prove  themselves,  to  themselves,  to  their  ministers,  the 
world,  and  the  church  of  God ;  5.  That  if  they  have  heart- 
religion,  Christ  is  in  them,  the  meek,  loving,  pure  mind 
of  Christ.    Let  every  man  diligently  search  his  own  heart. 

Reads  Blair's  Sermons 

Dec.  3.  I  have  lately  read  Blair's  Sermons,  where  I 
find  some  very  beautiful  things.  They  contain  good 
moral  philosophy,  and  his  Sermon  on  Gentleness  is 
worthy  the  taste  of  Queen  Charlotte ;  and  if  money  were 
anything  toward  paying  for  knowledge,  I  should  think 
that  sermon  worth  £200  sterling,  which  some  say  the 
queen  gave  him. 

Dec.  8.  We  had  but  twenty  miles  to  ride  for  our 
Sabbath  day's  journey.  Came  to  Roanoke,  and  enlarged 
on  Eph.  3.  7,  8 ;  in  which  I  showed:  i.  How  a  minister 
of  Christ  is  made;  2.  To  whom  he  is  to  preach;  3.  What 
he    is    to    preach,    namely,    the    unsearchable    riches    of 


1794J  CHRISTMAS  DAY  373 

Christ;  4.   The  humble  ojjinioii   ihe  ministers  of  Christ 
entertain  of  themselves.     Lord,  keep  me  truly  humble. 

Preachers  Sign  an  Agreement 

Dec.  10,  Came  to  Lewisburg,  and  held  our  Confer- 
ence at  Green  Hill's,  about  a  mile  from  town.  Great 
peace  and  unity  prevailed  among  us.  The  preachers 
cheerfully  signed  an  instrument,  expressing  their  deter- 
mination to  submit  to,  and  abide  by,  what  the  General 
Conference  has  done. 

Dec.  13.  Our  Conference  rose.  It  was  agreed  that 
the  next  Conference  should  be  held  in  Petersburg;  there 
the  preachers  from  North  Carolina,  Greenbrier,  the  Cen- 
ter and  South  Districts  of  Virginia,  may  all  meet,  and 
change  properly,  and  unite  together  for  their  own  and 
the  people's  good. 

Christmas  Day  (South  Carolina).  Came  to  Blake- 
ney's,  on  the  waters  of  Lynch's  Creek ;  here  I  preached 
to  about  forty  people,  it  being  Christmas  Day. 

Dec.  30.  We  rode  forty-five  miles  to  Brother  Cook's, 
on  Broad  River,  and  the  next  day  to  Brother  Finch's ; 
here  we  are  to  have  about  thirty  preachers  from  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia.  We  were  straitened  for  room, 
having  only  twelve  feet  square  to  confer,  sleep,  and  for 
the  accommodation  of  those  who  were  sick. 

Seized  with  a  Chill 

Jan.  I,  1794.  We  hastened  the  business  of  our  Con- 
ference as  fast  as  we  could.  After  sitting  in  a  close  room 
with  a  very  large  fire  I  retired  into  the  woods  nearly 
an  hour,  and  was  seized  with  a  severe  chill,  an  inveterate 
cough  and  fever.  With  difficulty  I  sat  in  Conference 
the  following  day,  and  I  could  get  but  little  rest ;  the 
brethren's  talking  disturbed  me.  Sick  as  I  was,  I  had  to 
ordain  four  elders  and  six  deacons ;  never  did  I  perform 
with  such  a  burden,  but  the  Lord  sustained  me. 


374  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1794 

Jan.  20.  I  reached  the  city  of  Charleston.  Here  I 
began  to  rest ;  my  cold  grew  better.  Dr.  Ramsey  directed 
me  to  the  use  of  laudanum,  niter,  and  bark.  The  kind- 
ness of  Sister  Hughes  was  very  great.  I  have  written 
largely  to  the  West,  and  declined  visiting  those  parts 
this  year.  The  American  x-\lps,  the  deep  snows  and  great 
rains,  swimming  the  creeks  and  rivers,  riding  in  the  night, 
sleeping  on  the  earthen  floors,  more  or  less  of  which  I 
must  experience  if  I  go  to  the  Western  country,  might 
at  this  time  cost  me  my  life.  I  have  only  been  able  to 
preach  four  times  in  three  weeks. 

Prince's  Christian  History 

I  have  had  sweet  peace  at  times  since  I  have  been 
here :  the  love  of  meetings,  especially  those  for  prayer ; 
the  increase  of  hearers ;  the  attention  of  the  people ;  my 
own  better  feelings ;  and  the  increasing  hope  of  good 
that  prevails  among  the  preachers,  lead  me  to  think  that 
"the  needy  shall  not  alwaA'S  be  forgotten,  nor  the  ex- 
pectation of  the  poor  fail."  I  have  been  pleased  in  read- 
ing Prince's  Christian  History,  of  about  four  hundred 
pages ;  it  was  a  cordial  to  my  soul  in  the  time  of  my 
affliction.  It  is  Methodism  in  all  its  parts.  I  have  a 
great  desire  to  print  an  abridgement  of  it,  to  show  the 
apostolic  children  what  their  fathers  were.  I  have  read 
Gordon's  History  of  the  American  Revolution ;  here  we 
view  the  suffering  traits  of  the  American  army,  and, 
what  is  greatly  interesting.  General  Washington's  taking 
his  farewell  of  his  officers — what  an  affecting  scene ! 

The  Downfall  of  Beverly  Allen 

Poor  Beverly  Allen,  who  has  been  going  from  bad  to 
worse  these  seven  or  eight  years,  speaking  against  me 
to  preachers  and  people,  and  writing  to  Mr.  Wesley  and 
Dr.  Coke,  and  being  thereby  the  source  of  most  of  the 
mischief  that  has  followed,  is  now  secured  in  jail   for 


1794]  SEAT  OF  FOLLY  375 

shooting  Major  ]'"orsyth  through  the  head.  The  major 
was  marshal  for  the  federal  court  in  Georgia,  and  was 
about  to  serve  a  writ  upon  Allen.  The  masterpiece  of  all 
is,  a  petition  is  prepared  declaring  him  to  have  shown 
marks  of  insanity  previous  to  his  killing  the  major !  The 
poor  Methodists  also  must  unjustly  be  put  to  the  rack 
on  his  account,  although  he  has  been  expelled  from 
among  us  these  two  years.  I  have  had  my  opinion  of  him 
these  nine  years ;  and  gave  Dr.  Coke  my  thoughts  of  him 
before  his  ordination.  I  pity,  I  pray  for  him,  that,  if 
his  life  be  given  up  to  justice,  his  soul  may  yet  be  saved. 

Bishop  Asbury's  stay  in  Charleston  at   this   time  was  the 
longest  stop  he  had  made  in  many  months. 

Fe]5.  18.  I  feel  restless  to  move  on,  and  my  wish  is 
to  die  in  the  field.  I  have  had  a  time  of  deep  dejection 
of  spirits,  affliction  of  body,  loss  of  sleep,  and  trouble  of 
soul.  I  have,  in  the  course  of  my  stay  here,  had  frecjuent 
visits  from  the  blacks ;  among  whom  I  find  some  gracious 
souls. 

Feb.  28.  I  now  leave  Charleston,  the  seat  of  Satan, 
dissipation,  and  folly.  Ten  months  hence,  with  the  per- 
mission of  Divine  Providence,  I  expect  to  see  it  again. 
My  horse  proving  unruly,  and  unwilling  to  take  the  boat 
to  Hadrill's  Point,  we  changed  our  course,  crossed  at 
demon's  Ferry,  and  then  came  to  the  road  to  Lenoir's 
h'erry ;  we  passed  the  plantations  of  the  great,  lying  east 
and  west,  their  rice  fields  under  water. 

Mar.  3.  After  riding  twenty-seven  miles  without 
eating,  how_  good  were  the  potatoes  and  fried  gammon ! 
We  then  had  only  ten  miles  to  Brother  Rembert's,  where 
we  arrived  about  seven  o'clock.  I  confess  my  soul  and 
body  have  been  sorely  tried.  What  blanks  are  in  this 
country — and  how  much  worse  are  rice  plantations !  If 
a  man-of-war  is  "a  floating  hell,"  these  are  standing 
ones :  wicked  masters,  overseers,  and  negroes,  cursing, 
drinking,  no  Sabbaths,  no  sermons.     But  hush !  perhaps 


376  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1794 

my  Journal  will  never  see  the  light ;  and  if  it  does,  mat- 
ters may  mend  before  that  time ;  and  it  is  probable  I 
shall  be  beyond  their  envy  or  good  will. 

Mar.  6.  We  had  a  family  meeting  at  Brother  Rem- 
bert's.  I  gave  them  a  long  discourse  on  the  last  words 
of  David,  2  Sam.  22-  5 :  "Although  my  house  be  not  so 
with  God ;  yet  he  hath  made  with  me  an  everlasting  cove- 
nant, ordered  in  all  things,  and  sure :  for  this  is  all  my 
salvation,  and  all  my  desire  [pleasure  or  delight],  al- 
though he  make  it  not  to  grow."  i.  I  considered  how 
we  enter  into  covenant  with  God ;  2.  On  man's  part  it  is 
ordered  to  repent,  believe,  love,  obey,  suffer,  etc.,  and, 
in  a  word,  to  attend  to  every  duty  God  hath  enjoined ; 
3.  That  this  is  all  the  delight  of  a  gracious  soul,  that  his 
eternal  all  is  rested  upon  the  covenant  relations  he  bears 
to  the  Lord.  David  appears  to  have  been  looking,  i.  To 
Solomon's  peaceable  kingdom ;  2.  To  Christ  who  was  to 
come  to  David's  seed ;  3.  Parents  and  gracious  souls  may 
say,  the  commonwealth,  the  church,  their  families,  etc., 
are  not  as  they  could  wish ;  yet  God  is  their  portion. 

A  Thousand  Miles  in  Three  Months 

Mar.  17.  By  the  time  I  reach  Justice  White's  I  shall 
make  out  to  have  ridden  about  one  thousand  miles  in 
three  months,  and  to  have  stopped  six  weeks  of  the  time 
with  great  reluctance.  I  preached  to-day  on  2  Tim. 
2.  12-17.  I  gave,  I.  The  marks  of  a  Christian,  one  of 
which  is  that  he  suffers  persecution ;  2.  The  marks  of 
heretics  and  schismatics  ;  the  former  oppose  the  estab- 
lished doctrines  of  the  gospel,  the  latter  will  divide 
Christians ;  3.  That  we  must  continue  in  what  we  have 
been  taught  by  the  Word,  the  Spirit,  and  faithful  min- 
isters of  Christ ;  4.  That  the  Holy  Scriptures  are  the 
standard  sufficient  for  ministers  and  people,  to  furnish 
them  to  every  good  work. 

Mar.  20.     I  directed  my  course,  in  company  with  my 


1794]  WEARY  AND  HUNGRY  377 

faithful  fellow  laborer,  Tobias  Gibson,  up  the  Catawba, 
settled  mostly  by  the  Dutch.  Having  ridden  in  pain 
twenty- four  miles,  we  came,  weary  and  hungry,  to  a 
tavern,  and  were  glad  to  take  what  came  to  hand.  Four 
miles  forward  we  came  to  Howe's  Ford,  upon  Catawba 
River,  where  we  could  neither  get  a  canoe  nor  guide. 

In  the  Whirlpools  of  the  Catawba 

We  entered  the  water  in  an  improper  place,  and  were 
soon  among  the  rocks  and  in  the  whirlpools.  My  head 
swam,  and  my  horse  was  affrighted ;  the  water  was  to 
my  knees,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  we  retreated  to  the 
same  shore.  We  then  called  to  a  man  on  the  other  side, 
who  came  and  piloted  us  across,  for  which  I  paid  him 
well.  My  horse  being  afraid  to  take  the  water  a  second 
time,  Brother  Gibson  crossed,  and  sent  me  his,  and  our 
guide  took  mine  across.  We  went  on,  but  our  troubles 
were  not  at  an  end.  Night  came  on,  and  it  was  very 
dark.  It  rained  heavily,  with  powerful  lightning  and 
thunder.  We  could  not  find  the  path  that  turned  out  to 
Connell's.  In  this  situation  we  continued  until  midnight 
or  past ;  at  last  we  found  a  path  which  we  followed  till 
we  came  to  dear  old  Father  Harper's  plantation.  We 
made  for  the  house,  and  called ;  he  answered,  but  won- 
dered who  it  could  be.  He  inquired  whence  we  came ;  I 
told  him  we  would  tell  that  when  we  came  in,  for  it  was 
raining  so  powerfully  we  had  not  much  time  to  talk. 
When  I  came  dripping  into  the  house  he  cried,  "God 
bless  your  soul,  is  it  Brother  Asbury?  Wife,  get  up." 
Having  had  my  feet  and  legs  wet  for  six  or  seven  hours 
causes  me  to  feel  very  stiff. 

Mar.  21.  We  set  forward  toward  Brother  White's, 
and  took  our  time  to  ride  twelve  miles. 

Mar.  22.  This  campaign  has  made  me  "groan,  being 
burdened."  Bad  news  on  my  coming  to  the  mountains: 
neither  preachers  nor  elders  have  visited  Swannanoa  since 


378  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1794 

last  October;  poor  people,  poor  preachers  that  are  not 
more  stable.  I  have  provided  Brothers  Gibson  and 
Lurton  for  the  westward.  I  wrote  a  plan  for  stationing; 
and  desired  the  dear  preachers  to  be  as  I  am  in  the  work. 
I  have  no  interest,  no  passions,  in  their  appointments, 
my  only  aim  is  to  care  and  provide  for  the  flock  of 
Christ.  I  am  solemnly  moved  in  not  visiting  my  Hol- 
ston  and  Kentucky  brethren.  It  may  be  their  interest 
to  desire  the  preservation  of  my  life ;  while  living  I  may 
supply  them  with  preachers,  and  with  men  and  money. 
I  feel  resolved  to  be  wholly  the  Lord's,  weak  as  I  am ;  I 
have  done  nothing,  I  am  nothing,  only  for  Christ !  or  I 
had  long  since  been  cut  off  as  an  unfaithful  servant. 
Christ  is  all,  and  in  all  I  do,  or  it  had  not  been  done ;  or 
when  done,  had  by  no  means  been  acceptable. 

Looking  Toward  Other  Fields 

Mar.  2^  (North  Carolina).  My  subject  at  Justice 
White's  was  Heb.  2.  1-3 ;  I  had  more  people  than  I  ex- 
pected. I  have  visited  this  place  once  a  year,  but  Mr. 
Kobler  and  Mr.  Lowe  have  both  failed  coming  at  all ;  I 
pity  them  and  the  people.  If  I  could  think  myself  of  any 
account,  I  might  say,  with  Mr.  Wesley,  "If  it  be  so  while 
I  am  alive,  what  will  it  be  after  my  death?"  I  have 
written  several  letters  to  the  westward  to  supply  my  lack 
of  service.  I  am  mightily  wrought  upon  for  New  Hamp- 
shire, Province  of  Maine,  Vermont,  and  Lower  Canada. 

Apr.  2.  After  preaching  I  came  to  Cokesbury  School, 
at  Hardy  Jones's ;  it  is  twenty  feet  square,  two  stories 
high,  well  set  out  with  doors  and  windows.  This  house 
is  not  too  large,  as  some  others  are.  It  stands  on  a  beau- 
tiful eminence,  and  overlooks  the  lowlands  and  River 
Yadkin. 

Apr.  7.  I  met  with  P.  Sands,  from  old  Lynn,  a  child 
of  Providence.  After  passing  solemn  scenes  at  sea  he 
was  taken  and  left  in  the  Lowlands  of  North  Carolina. 


1794]  LET  THEM  CURSE  379 

First  a  Christian,  then  a  preacher.  He  was  stationed  in 
Guilford,  but  offered  himself  a  volunteer  for  Swannanoa, 
which  station  hath  been  vacant  nearly  six  months,  one  of 
the  preachers  appointed  there  being  sick,  and  the  other 
married.  And  now  because  I  have  power  to  send  a 
picacher  to  these  poor  people,  some  are  pleased  to  ac- 
count me  and  call  me  a  despot. 

Ai'R.  14.  Brother  Sands  set  out  for  Swannanoa.  Had 
I  ventured  to  Kentucky,  how  should  I  have  stood  the  wil- 
derness, with  four  or  five  days  of  such  cold,  rainy 
weather  as  we  have  lately  had?  I  was  thankful  to  God 
that  I  changed  my  course. 

May  3.  I  learn  I  am  set  forth  as  an  enemy  to  the 
country ;  that  I  am  laying  up  money  to  carry  away  to 
England,  or  elsewhere ;  but  in  the  midst  of  all,  I  bless 
God  for  peace  in  my  spirit.  Let  them  curse,  but  God 
will  bless,  and  his  faithful  preachers  will  love  and 
pity  me.    I  have  not  been  unfaithful  to  my  trust. 

Meets  the  Brethren  from  Kentucky 

May  24.  Preached  at  Fincastle,  and  had  a  very  few 
to  hear,  except  our  own  people ;  came  the  same  evening 
to  E.  Mitchell's,  where  we  were  to  hold  our  Conference. 
Here  I  met  the  brethren  from  Kentucky,  and  received  a 
number  of  letters. 

May  25.  I  was  enabled  to  preach  a  searching  dis- 
course to  near  one  thousand  souls,  on  Isa.  52.  8. 

May  26.  We  were  closely  employed  in  the  business 
of  the  Conference. 

Mx\Y  28.  We  went  over  the  mountain  to  Rockbridge 
County.  We  crossed  the  north  branch  of  James  River, 
half  a  mile  from  the  town  of  Lexington ;  dined  at  the 

Red    House,   and   came   to    Mr.    F 's    on   the    south 

branch  of  Shenandoah.  Thence  I  urged  my  way  by 
Stanton  through  the  rain,  without  any  boots ;  and  having 
sold  my  oilcloth  a  few  days  before,  I  was  wet  from  head 


38o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1794 

to  foot.  My  mind  is  in  peace,  waiting  till  my  change 
come,  hanging  on  Jesus  for  everlasting  rest.  We  have 
a  valuable  house  here  (Newtown)  and  three  local 
preachers ;  at  Charlestown  a  good  house  and  one  local 
preacher ;  I  feel  as  though  it  would  be  a  long  time  before 
I  go  through  this  country  again. 

June  i.  I  ventured  to  the  church  in  the  rain,  and 
bore  a  feeble  testimony  for  nearly  an  hour  on  2  Pet.  i.  4. 
It  was  with  difficulty  I  could  attend  the  Conference,  my 
throat  and  passage  to  the  ear  being  inflamed,  and  I  had 
also  a  chill  and  high  fever.  We  had  preaching  morning, 
noon,  and  night,  and  had  peace  and  consolation  in  our 
deliberations.  On  the  last  day  of  the  Conference  I  de- 
livered a  discourse  on  i  Cor.  i.  5,  and  we  concluded  with 
a  solemn  sacrament. 

Asbury  Sits  for  His  Portrait 

June  18.  I  once  more  came  to  Baltimore,  where, 
after  having  rested  a  little,  I  submitted  to  have  my  like- 
ness taken.  It  seems  they  will  want  a  copy ;  if  they  wait 
longer,  perhaps  they  may  miss  it.  Those  who  have  gone 
from  us  in  \  irginia  have  drawn  a  picture  of  me,  which 
is  not  taken  from  flic  life. 

This  is  the  so-called  "  lost  portrait  "  of  Asbury,  which  is  now 
well  known.  It  was  made  for  Mr.  James  McCannon,  of  Balti- 
more, when  Asbury  was  forty-nine  years  of  age,  and  found 
after  a  disappearance  of  many  years. 

We  called  a  meeting  at  Cokesbury,  and  made  some 
regulations  relative  to  the  salaries  of  the  teachers  and 
the  board  of  the  students.  I  returned  to  Baltimore,  and 
spent  Sabbath  day,  22d,  there,  and  found  the  people  but 
dull.  My  soul  was  quickened  while  applying  these 
w^ords :  "Every  knee  shall  bow,  of  things  in  heaven, 
and  things  in  earth,  and  things  under  the  earth ;  and 
that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  Jesus  Christ  is 
Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father." 


1794] 


A  HARD  DAY'S  WORK 


381 


June  29.  I  preached  at  the  new  African  church 
(Philadelphia).  Our  colored  brethren  are  to  be  gov- 
erned by  the  doctrine  and  Discipline  of  the  Methodists. 


"'^WSK<i<-J-- 


REV.    FRANCIS    ASBURY   IN    HIS    FORTY-NINTH    YEAR. 

We  had  some  stir  among  the  people  at  Ebenezer.  In 
the  evening  v^e  had  a  cold  time  on  Amos  4.  11  at  the 
great  church.     This  has  been  a  hard  day's  work. 

July  3.     Came  faint  and  weary  to  Powles  Hook,  and 


382  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1794 

felt  my  mind  solemn  and  devoted  to  God.  Thence 
crossed  over  to  New  York,  and  found  my  friends  kind 
and  full  of  the  world.    Lord,  save  from  worldliness ! 

Preaches  on  July  Fourth 

July  4.  Was  the  anniversary  of  Lidependence.  I 
preached  on  2  Pet.  3.  20,  21,  wherein  I  showed:  i.  That 
all  real  Christians  had  escaped  the  pollutions  of  the 
world ;  2.  That  it  is  possible  for  them  to  be  entangled 
therein  again  and  overcome ;  3.  That  when  this  is  the  case 
they  turn  from  the  holy  commandments  delivered  imto 
them ;  4.  That  the  last  state  of  such  is  worse  than  the 
first ;  for  God  is  provoked,  Christ  slighted,  the  Spirit 
grieved,  religion  dishonored,  their  understanding  is 
darkened,  the  will  is  perverted,  the  conscience  becomes 
insensible,  and  all  the  affections  unmoved  under  the 
means  of  grace ;  they  keep  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent, 
but  lose  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove.  At  dinner  Mr. 
Pilmoor  spoke  a  word  in  favor  of  Mr.  Glendenning  (who 
was  once  with  us,  as  also  he  has  been)  ;  this  brought  on 
an  explanation  of  matters.  My  answer  was,  i.  That  I 
did  not  make  rules,  but  had  to  execute  them ;  2.  That 
anyone  who  desired  me  to  act  unconstitutionally  either 
insulted  me  as  an  individual,  or  the  Conference  as  a  body 
of  men.  I  hardly  knew  sometimes  where  to  set  my  foot ; 
I  must  be  always  on  my  guard,  and  take  heed  to  what  I 
say  of  and  before  anyone. 

July  ii.  -We  came  to  New  Haven;  thence  to  North 
Haven ;  thence  to  Middlefield.  The  rain  took  us  as  we 
crossed  the  mountains,  and  made  it  heavy  work.  We 
found  it  poor  times.  Were  I  to  be  paid  by  man  for  my 
services,  I  should  rate  them  very  high ;  it  is  so  painful  at 
present  for  me  to  ride  that  a  small  sum  would  not  tempt 
me  to  travel  forty  miles  a  day. 

July  12.  The  rain  detained  us  till  noon;  I  then  came 
to   Middletown,   and  preached  at  three   o'clock   in   the 


1794]  SICK  IN  BODY  383 

Separate  meeting'house  vvitli  some  life.  I  lodged  with  the 
old  prophet  r>othinf^ham.  After  the  dear  old  man  had 
labored  and  suffered  many  years,  and  had  been  im- 
prisoned three  times  for  the  cause  of  Christ;  after  he 
grew  old  and  his  memory  failed,  and  he  could  not  re- 
ceive the  new  divinity,  they  mistook  and  wrested  his 
words,  and  his  congregation  turned  him  out  to  starve; 
but  the  Lord  will  provide. 

July  14.  Rode  fourteen  miles  to  the  city  of  Hart- 
ford, and  preached  once  more  in  Strong's  Church,  and 
I  roared  out  wonderfully  on  Matt.  1 1 .  28-30.  Next  day 
we  came  five  miles  to  Spencer's,  in  Hartford,  where 
we  have  a  neat  house,  forty  by  thirty-four  feet.  Thence 
I  rode  fifteen  miles  to  Coventry,  where  I  had  a  large 
congregation  and  a  comfortable  meeting. 

July  21.  I  came  to  Boston  sick  in  body,  and  with 
a  heavy  heart.  I  passed  the  road  and  bridge  from  the 
University  to  Boston.  A  noble  road  and  grand  bridge. 
We  have  very  agreeable  lodging  in  this  town,  but  have 
to  preach,  as  did  our  Lord,  in  an  upper  room. 

Fire  in  the  Smoke 

July  22.  I  took  up  my  cross  and  preached  in  a  large 
room,  which  was  full  enough,  and  warm  enough.  I 
stood  over  the  street ;  the  boys  and  Jack  tars  made  a 
noise,  but  mine  was  the  loudest ;  there  was  fire  in  the 
smoke ;  some,  I  think,  felt  the  Word,  and  we  shall  yet 
have  a  work  in  Boston. 

July  29.  Rode  through  Attleboro  to  Providence ;  I 
had  no  freedom  to  eat  bread  or  drink  water  in  that  place. 
I  found  a  calm  retreat  at  Lippett's,  where  we  can  rest 
ourselves.  The  Lord  is  in  this  family ;  I  am  <:ontent  to 
stay  a  day,  and  give  them  a  sermon. 

Aug.  10.  Brother  Roberts,  though  sick,  went  to  Cov- 
entry, and  I  was  left  alone  at  Tolland,  where  I  preached 
in  the  forenoon,  on  Acts  2.  2,'j,  38,  with  some  freedom ; 


384  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1794 

and  in  the  afternoon  on  Col.  2.  6,  and  found  it  heavy 
work.  Monday  I  was  hotter,  and  preached  in  a  school- 
house  at  Ellington.  Ah !  here  are  the  iron  walls  of 
prejudice;  but  God  can  break  them  down.  Out  of  fif- 
teen United  States,  thirteen  are  free ;  but  two  are  fet- 
tered with  ecclesiastical  chains,  taxed  to  support  minis- 
ters who  are  chosen  by  a  small  committee  and  settled  for 
life.  My  simple  prophecy  is  that  this  must  come  to  an 
end  with  the  present  century.  The  Rhode  Islanders  be- 
gan in  time,  and  are  free.  Hail,  sons  of  liberty !  Who 
first  began  the  war?  Was  it  not  Connecticut  and  Massa- 
chusetts? and  priests  are  now  saddled  upon  them.  O, 
what  a  happy  people  these  would  be  if  they  were  not  thus 
priest-ridden !  I  heard  read  a  most  severe  letter  from 
a  citizen  of  Vermont,  to  the  clergy^  and  Christians  of 
Connecticut,  striking  at  the  foundation  and  principle  of 
the  hierarchy,  and  the  policy  of  Yale  College,  and  the 
Independent  order.  It  was  expressive  of  the  determina- 
tion of  the  Vermonters  to  continue  free  from  ecclesiasti- 
cal fetters,  to  follow  the  Bible,  and  give  liberty,  equal 
liberty,  to  all  denominations  of  professing  Christians. 
If  so,  why  may  not  the  Methodists  (who  have  been  re- 
peatedly soHcited)   visit  these  people  also? 

Aug.  17.  I  came  to  the  new  chapel  in  Wilbraham, 
forty  by  thirty-four  feet,  neatly  designed  on  the  Epis- 
copal plan.  I  was  sick  and  under  heaviness  of  mind.  I 
preached  to  about  four  hundred  people,  who  were  very 
attentive,  but  appeared  to  be  very  little  moved. 

Mercy,  Justice,  Truth,  Love 

Aug.  19.  I  preached  at  Mr.  R.'s,  and  was  led  on  a 
sudden  to  open  and  apply  Phil.  2.  12,  13:  i.  Who  are 
addressed?  Christian  believers;  2.  The  leading  subject, 
future  and  eternal  salvation ;  to  avoid  legality,  Anti- 
nomianism,  and  lukewarmness ;  3.  That  he  hath,  and  doth 
work  in  them  to  will  and  to  do ;  to  resist  temptation ;  to 


1794]  WILBRAHAM  CONFERENCE  385 

be  sanctified  ;  and  to  he  finally  saved ;  4.  They  should 
work  out  their  own  salvation,  by  being  found  in  every 
means  of  grace ;  attending  to  mercy,  justice,  truth,  and 
love ;  5.  With  fear,  where  many  have  failed  ;  with  trem- 
bling, where  many  have  fallen.  Some  were  not  well 
pleased  at  this  anti-Calvinistic  doctrine ;  but  I  cannot 
help  that.     My  duty  in  this  matter  is  plain. 

A  Quiet  Retreat 

Aug.  20.  I  had  a  quiet  retreat  at  Brother  W.'s.  T 
preached  on  "Seek  the  Lord,  and  ye  shall  live":  i.  The 
death  to  which  those  are  exposed  who  have  not  found 
the  Lord ;  2.  The  life  those  do  and  shall  enjoy  who  have 
found,  and  do  live  to  the  Lord — a  life  of  faith,  love,  and 
holiness  here,  and  glory  hereafter ;  3.  We  must  seek  him 
in   all    the    means   of   grace.      Rode    in   the    evening   to 

Father  A 's,  in  Springfield,  a  kind  family.     Here  I 

gave  them  a  short  sermon  on  Acts  2.  22.  I  showed, 
I.  What  we  must  be  saved  from;  2.  That  we  cannot 
save  ourselves ;  3.  On  whom  we  must  call  for  salvation ; 
4.  That  whosoever  thus  calls  on  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
without  distinction  of  age,  nation,  or  character,  shall  be 
saved. 

Sept.  4.  We  opened  our  Conference  with  what  preach- 
ers were  present. 

Asbury  and  Roberts,  who  had  been  making  preaching  ex- 
cursions for  a  fortnight,  had  returned  to  Wilbraham.  At  this 
"Wilbraham  Conference,"  Stevens  says  great  men  were 
present:  Asbury,  wayworn,  but  "mighty  through  God";  Lee, 
eloquent,  tireless,  and  ambitious,  like  Coke,  for  "  the  wings  of 
an  eagle,  and  the  voice  of  a  trumpet,  that  he  might  proclaim 
the  Gospel  through  the  East  and  the  West,  the  North  and  the 
South";  Roberts,  as  robust  and  noble  in  spirit  as  in  person; 
Wilson  Lee,  "a  flame  of  fire";  Ostrander,  firm  and  unwaver- 
ing as  a  pillar  of  brass;  Pickering,  clear  and  pure  as  a  beam  of 
the  morning;  young  Mtidge,  the  beloved  first-bom  of  the  New 
England  itinerancy;  the  two  Joshuas  of  Maine,  Taylor  and 
Hall,  who,  like  their  ancient  namesake,  led  the  triumphs  of 
Israel  in  the  land  of  the  East;  and  others  whose  record  is  on 
high.     It  was  in  every  respect  a  notable  Conference. 


386  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1794 

I  lodged  with  Abel  Bliss,  whose  son  was  educated,  and 
not  spoiled,  at  Cokesbiiry. 

Sept.  5.  We  had  a  full  house,  and  hasted  through 
much  business. 

Sept.  7.  We  spent  from  eight  to  nine  o'clock  in  prayer  ; 
a  sermon,  three  exhortations,  and  the  sacrament  followed. 
We  parted  at  three  o'clock,  and  I  came  to  Enfield,  and 
got  my  dinner  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

Sept.  8.  We  spent  this  day  on  the  road,  passing 
Windsor  and  East  Hartford,  and  came  to  the  city.  The 
next  day  we  reached  Middletown,  where  I  was  taken  ill. 
We  have  a  call  for  preachers  to  go  to  New  Hampshire 
and  to  the  Province  of  Maine. 

Pestilence  in  New  York 

Sept.  ii.  We  rode  to  General  W.'s.  Here  I  learn 
they  guard  Kingsbridge,  and  will  not  sufifer  anyone  to 
pass  from  New  Haven.  It  is  also  said  the  pestilential 
fever  prevails  in  the  city  of  New  York,  having  been 
brought  there  by  a  brig  from  the  Islands.  I  thought  it 
best  to  stop,  and  consult  the  preachers  in  the  Albany 
District,  before  I  go  into  the  city.  As  the  yellow  fever  is 
so  prevalent  in  the  West  Indies,  and  our  vessels  con- 
tinually trading  there,  the  United  States  will  partake, 
I  fear,  of  their  plagues ;  and  so  the  Lord  will  punish  us 
for  our  sins  and  prodigality. 

Sept.  12.  I  filled  my  minute  book,  and  read  freely  in 
the  Bible.  This  book  is  so  much  hated  by  some ;  as  for 
me,  I  will  love  and  read  it  more  than  ever. 

Sept.  '  13.  Very  warm,  and  I  was  very  faint.  I 
preached  in  a  new  open  house,  and  had  a  sweet,  comfort- 
ing time,  on  Luke  12.  31,  32.  Here  I  met  Brother  Dun- 
ham from  Upper  Canada,  who  wants  more  preachers  in 
that  province. 

Sept.  17.  I  came  near  Kingsbridge,  and  found  that 
it  was  not  as  had  been  reported  concerning  the  malignant 


1794]  SUPERANNUATION  387 

fever  in  New  York ;  perhaps  a  dozen  might  have  taken 
the  infection  from  a  vessel ;  hut  it  hath  not  spread,  and 
the  weather  hecame  propitious  hy  rain  and  pure  winds. 

Sept.  21  (New  York).  I  preached  in  the  old  house 
on  Psa.  132;  at  the  new  church  in  the  afternoon  on 
Psa.  I  ;  and  at  Brooklyn  in  the  evening.  Here  our  breth- 
ren have  built  a  very  good  house.  The  labors  of  the  day, 
pain  of  body,  and  my  concern  for  the  peace  of  the 
Church,  tended  to  keep  me  from  proper  rest,  and  caused 
an  awful  night.    I  slept  scarcely  an  hour. 

The  Problem  of  Old  Age 

Sept.  22.  We  opened  Conference,  and  sat  closely  to 
our  business.  Several  of  our  preachers  want  to  know 
what  they  shall  do  when  they  grow  old ;  I  might  also 
ask,  what  shall  I  do?  Perhaps  many  of  them  will  not 
live  to  grow  old. 

Sept.  28.  Preached  at  ten  o'clock  at  Brooklyn.  In 
the  afternoon  at  the  new  church,  on,  "Woe  to  them  that 
are  at  ease  in  Zion !"  I  ordained  seven  deacons  and  five 
elders ;  and  in  the  evening,  at  the  old  church,  I  preached 
again.  We  had  the  best  time  at  the  last ;  at  least  it  was 
so  to  me.  We  collected  $250  for  the  relief  of  the  preach- 
ers in  distress.  This  has  been  a  serious  week  to  me ; 
money  could  not  purchase  the  labor  I  have  gone  through. 
At  this  Conference  it  was  resolved  that  nothing  but 
an  English  day  school  should  be  kept  at  Cokesbury. 

Oct.  2.  I  came  to  Burlington ;  and  as  I  had  not  had 
a  day  to  myself  for  some  time,  I  took  one  now,  to  read, 
write,  and  fill  up  my  journal,  etc.  I  feel  for  the  church 
and  continent ;  but  the  Lord  sitteth  above  the  water 
floods,  and  remaineth  a  King  forever. 

Conference  in  Philadelphia 

Oct.  6  (Philadelphia).  Our  Conference  began,  and 
matters  were  talked  over  freelv.     Our  session  continued 


388  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1794 

until  Friday,  by  which  time  I  feU  tired  of  the  city,  and 
had  a  desire  to  be  on  horseback.  I  have  felt  liberty  in 
preaching  to  the  citizens,  and  indulge  some  hope  of  a 
revival  of  religion  among  them. 

Cokesbury  College  in  Debt 

Oct.  16.  Crossed  Susquehanna,  and  came  to  Cokes- 
bury  College.  I  found  it  £1,200  in  debt,  and  that  there 
were  between  £500  and  i6oo  due  us ;  £300  of  what  we 
owe  ought  now  to  be  paid. 

In  the  currency  of  the  American  colonies  the  pound  had  dif- 
ferent values:  in  New  England  and  Virginia  it  was  equal  at 
the  time  of  the  Revolution  to  $3-33}^',  in  New  York  and  North 
Carolina,  to  $2.50;  in  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware, 
and  Maryland,  to  $2,663^;  in  Georgia,  to  $4.  These  units  of 
value  did  not  at  once  disappear  from  local  use  on  the  adoption 
of  the  decimal  system  of  coinage  by  the  United  States. 

Oct.  18.  We  came  to  Perry  Hall.  The  preachers 
were  afraid  to  go  into  Baltimore,  but  the  brethren  from 
there  came  out  to  calm  their  fears  and  invited  them  in. 
I  have  been  hurried,  and  have  not  as  much  time  for  re- 
tirement as  my  soul  panteth  for.  I  niust  not  neglect  my 
devotions  at  any  cost  of  time. 

Oct.  20.  We  rode  to  Baltimore,  and  in  the  afternoon 
opened  our  Conference.  We  had  about  fifty  preachers, 
including  probationers.  Our  business  was  conducted  in 
peace  and  love.  INIyself  and  others  being  ill,  we  sat  only 
six  hours  in  the  day. 

Oct.  21.  I  gave  them  a  sermon,  on  Exod.  32.  26.  We 
had  a  list  of  names  from  Fairfax,  who  required  an  ex- 
planation of  a  minute  in  our  Form  of  Discipline  relative 
to  the  trial  of  members ;  inquiring  whether  the  "select 
members  were  as  witnesses,  or  judges,  and  had  power  to 
vote  members  in  or  out  of  society."  We  answ^ered  them. 
Our  collegiate  matters  now  come  to  a  crisis.  We  now 
make  a  sudden  and  dead  pause ;  we  mean  to  incorporate, 
and  breathe,  and  take  some  better  plan.     If  we  cannot 


1794]  RICHARD  HENRY  LEE  389 

have  a  Christian  school,  that  is,  a  school  under  Christian 
discipline  and  pious  teachers,  we  will  have  none. 

No\^  4.  I  learn  that  about  the  month  of  June  last 
died  the  great  politician  Richard  Henry  Lee,  of  West- 
moreland County,  one  who  took  an  active  part  in  pro- 
moting the  independence  of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica. O,  when  will  liberty  be  extended  to  the  sable  sons 
of  Africa?  We  trust  the  happy  period  will  come  when 
universal  light  shall  shine  through  all  the  earth,  and 

"  Jesus  shall  reign  where'er  the  sun 
Does  his  successive  journeys  run; 
His  kingdom,  spread  from  shore  to  shore, 
Till  moons  shall  wax  and  wane  no  more." 

Nov.  22-23.  Attended  a  quarterly  meeting  at  Jones's 
Chapel,  in  Sussex  County,  where  we  had  many  people. 
I  preached  on  Deut.  9.  12,  too  applicable  to  many  of  these 
souls.  The  rumor  of  the  smallpox  being  at  Petersburg, 
and  only  ten  or  twelve,  out  of  seventy  or  eighty,  of  the 
preachers  having  had  it,  it  caused  us  to  think  of  holding 
our  Conference  at  Sister  Mabry's,  in  Greenville  County, 
where  there  are  fifteen  or  sixteen  houses  that  will  re- 
ceive and  entertain  the  preachers.  After  sending  Brother 
Hutt  to  Petersburg,  it  was,  by  a  majority  of  the  preachers 
present,  judged  most  prudent  to  hold  the  Conference 
at  the  place  just  mentioned. 

Conference  Action  on  Slavery 

Nov.  25.  We  opened  our  Conference,  aliout  thirty 
preachers  being  collected  together,  and  had  great  sitt- 
ings and  searchings,  especially  on  the  subject  of  slavery. 
The  preachers,  almost  unanimously,  entered  into  an 
agreement  and  resolution  not  to  hold  slaves  in  any  state 
where  the  law  will  allow  them  to  manumit  them,  on  pain 
of  forfeiture  of  their  honor  and  their  place  in  the  itin- 
erant connection  ;  and  in  any  state  where  the  law  will 
not  admit  of  manumission,  they  agreed  to  pay  them  the 


39° 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1794 


worth  of  their  labor,  and  when  they  die  to  leave  them  to 
some  person  or  persons,  or  society,  in  trust,  to  bring 
about  their  liberty.  After  raising  and  applying  what 
money  we  could,  which  was  about  £50,  we  calculated 
that  one  fourth  of  the  preachers  at  this  Conference  had 
received  for  their  salary  the  past  year  about  iio;  one 
half  from  aliout  £12  to  £15;  and  one  fourth  their  full 
quarterage,  $64.  We  had  great  peace,  and  not  one 
preacher  objected  to  his  station.     We  sent  an  apology  to 


EBENEZER    ACADEMY,    BRUNSWICK    COUNTY,    VIRGINIA. 


our  brethren  in  Petersburg,  for  not  having  held  Confer- 
ence there,  according  to  appointment,  for  reasons  already 
assigned.  We  were  greatly  obliged  to  our  friends  in 
Greenville  for  accommodating  the  Conference.  Men  and 
horses  were  well  entertained,  all  for  love. 

Dec  8.  Our  burdensome  stone,  Ebenezer,  now  gives 
vis  some  trouble  and  care.  If  we  can  employ  good  men, 
keep  up  discipline,  and  maintain  credit,  it  may  come  to 
something.  Had  a  meeting  with  the  trustees  of  the 
school.  Matters  are  very  discouraging.  People  in  gen- 
eral care  too  little  for  the  education  of  their  children. 


1794]  A  GOOD  MEETINGHOUSE  391 

Dec.  9.  Preached  at  Williams's  meetinghouse.  These 
are  a  poor  people,  not  impoverished  with  slaves ;  but  they 
have  a  good  meetinghouse,  with  a  glass  window  behind 
the  pulpit,  so  that  we  can  see  to  read  without  raising  a 
shutter  and  receiving  all  the  wind  that  comes,  though  this 
is  in  Lunei;burg  County,  near  Mother  Ogburn's,  where 
we  used  to  have  our  melting  seasons  twenty  years  ago. 

Dec.  18.  I  have  a  long  journey  to  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  and  but  thirteen  days  to  perform  it;  having 
appointed  to  be  there  the  first  of  January. 

Fords  or  Swims  the  Rivers 

Dec.  20.  It  snowed  as  powerfully  as  it  rained  yester- 
day. However,  we  set  out  for  Salem  about  nine  o'clock, 
and  forded  two  creeks,  but  the  third  we  swam.  Brother 
Ward  went  in,  and  after  a  pause  I  followed  ;  but  being 
cloaked  up,  my  horse  nearly  slipped  from  under  me :  one 
foot  was  properly  soaked.  I  walked  about  one  mile  and 
rode  another,  and  reached  the  town  about  twelve  o'clock, 
just  as  they  were  ringing  the  bell.  Feeling  the  want  of 
a  fire,  I  went  to  the  tavern ;  but  I  found  but  one  fireplace 
there ;  I  sat  down  with  the  company,  and  dried  my  feet 
a  little,  until  my  companions  came  along.  I  have  need 
of  power  (and  I  am  accused  of  having  too  much)  to 
stand  such  days  as  this ;  my  soul  is  kept  in  peace  and 
communion  with  God,  and,  through  grace,  I  will  not 
nnirmur  at  my  sufferings  while  the  salvation  of  souls  is 
my  end  and  aim.  We  found  a  home  at  Father  Hill's, 
from  Maryland,  about  three  o'clock,  having  ridden  nine- 
teen miles  to-day  and  thirty  yesterday.  I  was  thankful 
for  a  house  and  friends,  and  an  opportunity  of  putting 
into  port.    ■ 

Dec.  21.  I  came  to  Cokesbury  School,  and  preached 
on  I  Cor.  15.  58. 

Chkistm.-\s  D.\y.  We  changed  our  course,  and  took 
the  grand  Camden  road  to  great  Lynch's  Creek,  thirty 


392  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1795 

miles.     When  I  came  to  Mr.  Evans's  and  told  my  name 
I  was  invited  to  stay ;  and  it  was  well  for  us  that  we  did. 

Dec.  31.  Myself  w^ith  the  main  body  of  the  preachers 
came  in  the  city  of  Charleston.  I  felt  faint  and  sick 
after  the  fatigues  I  had  passed  through  on  my  journey. 

New  Year's  Day 

Jan.  I,  1795.  Being  New  Year's  Day,  I  was  called 
upon  to  preach,  sick  as  I  was,  which  I  did  on  Psa. 
90.  12.  We  entered  on  the  business  of  our  Conference, 
and  continued  until  Wednesday,  7th.  We  had  preach- 
ing every  night  during  the  sitting  of  Conference.  It  was 
the  request  of  the  Conference  that  I  should  preach  them 
a  sermon  on  Tuesday  night ;  with  wdiich  I  complied,  and 
made  choice  of  Jer.  23.  29-32.  In  times  past  I  have  en- 
deavored to  keep  on  traveling  all  the  year,  but  I  now 
judge  it  meet  to  stay  in  Charleston  a  little  longer  and  then 
take  the  field. 

Jan.  12.  The  members  of  the  Conference  left  the 
city.  Brother  Bruce  and  myself  must  now  lay  our 
shoulders  to  the  work.  I  have  my  feelings  and  fears 
about  staying  in  Charleston,  but  grace  is  sufficient.  I 
wish  to  give  my  all  to  God ;  and  whether  I  read,  write, 
preach,  or  visit,  to  do  it  all  to  his  glory,  and  to  employ 
my  precious  time  profitably.  And  am  I  yet  alive,  with 
death  so  near.  How  many  of  my  friends  in  this  city,  and 
in  other  places,  are  gone  into  eternity !  I  hear  very  little 
from  the  preachers  in  the  North. 

Jan.  13.  I  had  a  comfortable  season  in  the  church, 
on  the  words  of  Saint  Paul  to  the  Galatians:  "Am  I 
therefore  become  your  enemy,  because  I  tell  you  the 
truth?"  I  observed,  i.  That  there  is  a  proper  portion 
of  truth  which  is  applicable  to  everyone's  case;  2.  That 
it  is  a  bad  sign  when  a  man  is  esteemed  an  enemy  for 
telling  the  truth,  as  if  falsehood  alone  were  pleasing. 

Jan.    14.     I  preached  at  Brother  Wells's,   on  'Tt  is 


1795]  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION  393 

good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted ;  that  I  mi^^ht  learn 
thy  statutes" ;  this  cannot  be  the  language  of  any  but 
gracious  souls.  Sinners  think  all  these  things  are  against 
them,  and  wonder  what  they  have  done  more  than  others, 
that  they  are  thus  afflicted.  I  treated  of  afflictions  of 
body  and  mind  ;  personal  and  family ;  in  the  church  and 
in  the  state. 

J.\N.  18.  I  preached  in  the  morning  on  Exod.  20,  the 
first  and  second  commandments ;  in  the  afternoon,  on  the 
affliction  and  conversion  of  Manasseh,  2  Chron.  23-  12,  13. 

Jan.  28.  I  finished  reading  the  History  of  the  French 
Revolution,  containing  about  eight  hundred  pages ;  and 
a  surprising  history  it  is.  They  have  had  heavy  strug- 
gles with  monarchy,  aristocracy,  and  democracy ;  and 
have  had  martyrs  of  each  and  every  form. 

Feb.  8.  I  preached  on  Psa.  8.  4.  Brother  Bruce  en- 
tertained us  on,  "That  your  faith  should  not  stand  in  the 
wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God."  I  met  the 
society,  read  the  Rules  of  Discipline,  and  gave  a  close 
talk  about  conformity  to  the  world.  I  have  now  finished 
the  first  volume  of  Mr.  Wesley's  Journal.  I  admire  his 
candor  and  the  soundness  of  his  sentiments ;  but  I  need 
say  but  little,  as  it  will  be  shortly  published  and  speak  for 
itself. 

Asbwry's  Opinion  of  Wesley's  Journal 

Feb.  16.  I  rode  out  to  take  the  air,  and  saw  the  wan- 
dering air  balloon.  I  am  persuaded  there  are  gracious 
souls  among  Mr.  Hammett's  people,  some  of  whom  have 
left  him,  and  will,  perhaps,  return.  I  was  employed  in 
reading  Mr.  Wesley's  Journal ;  and  I  am  now  convinced 
of  the  great  difficulty  of  journalizing.  Mr.  Wesley  was, 
doubtless,  a  man  of  very  general  knowledge,  learning, 
and  reading,  to  which  we  may  add  a  lively  wit  and  humor ; 
yet,  I  think  I  see  too  much  credulity,  long,  fiat  narrations, 
and  coarse  letters  taken  from  others  in  his  Journal ;  but 


394  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1795 

when  I  come  to  his  own  thoughts,  they  are  Hvely,  senti- 
mental, interesting,  and  instructing.  The  journal  of  a 
minister  of  the  gospel  should  be  theological ;  only  it  will 
be  well  to  wink  at  many  things  we  see  and  hear,  since 
men's  feelings  grow  more  and  more  refined. 

Feb.  22.  I  was  recollecting,  by  the  help  of  Mr.  Wes- 
ley's Journal,  how  long  it  had  been  since  I  became  ac- 
cjuainted  with  the  Methodists.  I  was  awakened,  as  I 
think,  when  about  thirteen  years  six  months  old ;  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  I  began  tq  read  and  pray  in  the  public 
congregation ;  one  year  six  months  after  this,  publicly 
to  exhort  and  expound  God's  Holy  Word ;  at  twenty-one 
I  traveled  much ;  and  in  the  beginning  of  my  twenty- 
second  year  I  traveled  altogether.  I  was  nine  months  in 
Staffordshire,  and  other  adjoining  shires ;  two  years  in 
Bedfordshire  Circuit,  and  two  in  Salisbury  Circuit. 

Mr.  Wesley,  in  his  Journal,  seems  to  think  that  the 
cause  of  the  hindrance  of  the  work  of  God  is  wholly  and 
entirelv  in  man.  But  may  we  not  ask,  with  reverence. 
Hath  not  God  sometimes,  for  his  own  purposes,  withheld 
his  power,  that  no  flesh  might  glory  in  his  sight,  but 
feel  that  he  is  all  in  all? 

Feb.  25.  I  have  had  a  long  stay  here,  and  now  rejoice 
in  the  hope  of  going  again  into  the  field  to  work.  Noth- 
ing would  have  kept  me  here  but  the  hope  of  preserving 
my  health  the  other  ten  months  of  the  year;  which  will 
enable  me  to  run  through  North  and  South  Carolina,  the 
New  Territory,  Virginia,  Maryland,  Delaware,  Pennsyl- 
vania, New  Jersey,  New  York,  Connecticut,  Rhode  Isl- 
and, Massachusetts,  Province  of  Maine,  New  Hampshire, 
Vermont,  and  sometimes  Kentucky. 

Prepares  to  Leave  Charleston 

Mar.  I.  I  am  now  about  packing  up  in  order  to  take 
my  leave  of  this  city.  My  parting  subject  was  i  Cor. 
16.  23,  24;  the  congregation  was  very  large,  and  if  the 


1795]  DAY  OF  RIGHT  FASTING  395 

people  are  prudent  and  the  preachers  faithful  we  shall 
have  a  work  in  this  place.  The  poor  Africans  hrought 
their  blessings,  and  wishes,  and  prayers.  Dear  souls! 
May  the  Lord  provide  them  pastors  after  his  own  heart. 

Subscription  Lists  for  Bethel  School 

'  Mar.  19-21.  We  had  work  enough  to  write  subscrip- 
tion papers,  to  be  sent  abroad  for  the  purpose  of  collect- 
ing £100  to  finish  Bethel  School,  and  secure  the  land; 
but  my  expectations  are  small,  the  people  have  so  little 
sense  of  God  and  religion. 

Mar.  30.  This  country  improves  in  cultivation,  wick- 
edness, mills,  and  stills ;  a  prophet  of  strong  drink  would 
be  acceptable  to  many  of  these  people.  I  believe  that 
the  Methodist  preachers  keep  clear,  both  by  precept  and 
example.  Would  to  God  the  members  did  so  too !  Lord, 
have  pity  on  weeping,  bleeding  Zion ! 

Apr.  16.  We  had  preaching,  and  were  engaged  in 
writing  letters  and  copying  the  minutes.  My  soul  enjoys 
sweet  peace ;  but  I  see  an  awful  danger  of  losing  that 
simple  walking  and  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  God. 

Apr.  17.  I  observed  as  a  day  of  right  fasting;  this  I 
cannot  do  more  than  once  a  month.  I  am  frequently 
obliged  to  go  on  three  cups  of  tea,  with  a  little  bread, 
for  eight  or  nine  hours,  and  to  ride  many  miles,  and 
preach,  and  perform  my  other  ministerial  labors. 

Apr.  2"].  We  hasted  to  F.  Ernest's,  on  Nollichucky 
River,  in  Tennessee,  where  we  hold  our  Western  Con- 
ference. Here  six  brethren  from  Kentucky  met  us,  and 
we  opened  our  Conference  with  twenty-three  preachers, 
fifteen  of  whom  were  members.  We  received  every  man's 
account  of  himself  and  his  late  labors;  and  inquired  of 
each  man's  character  among  his  brethren.  Our  business 
was  conducted  with  great  love  and  harmony.  Our  breth- 
ren have  built  a  meetinghouse,  and  T  must  needs  preach 
the  first  sermon,  which  T  did  on  Exod.  20.  24. 


396  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1795 

May  7.  I  have  ridden  two  hundred  and  twenty  miles 
in  seven  days  and  a  half,  and  am  so  exceedingly  outdone 
and  oppressed  with  pain,  weariness,  and  want  of  sleep 
that  I  have  hardly  courage  to  do  anything.  We  suffered 
from  irregularity  in  food  and  lodging,  although  the  peo- 
ple are  very  kind,  and  give  us  the  best  they  have,  and  that 
without  .fee  or  reward,  so  that  I  have  only  spent  about 
two  shillings  in  riding  about  two  hundred  miles. 

Hears  of  Death  of  J«dge  White 

May  21.  We  set  out  for  Baltimore;  the  rain  came  on 
very  heavily ;  I  have  not  felt  nor  seen  such  since  the 
sixth  of  March,  since  which  time  I  have  ridden  about 
one  thousand  two  hundred  miles.  This  day  I  heard  of 
the  death  of  one,  among  my  best  friends  in  America, 
Judge  White,  of  Kent  County,  in  the  State  of  Delaware. 
This  news  was  attended  with  an  awful  shock  to  me.  I 
have  met  with  nothing  like  it  in  the  death  of  any  friend 
on  the  continent.  Lord,  help  us  all  to  live  out  our  short 
-day  to  thy  glory !  I  have  lived  days,  weeks,  and  months 
in  his  house.  O  that  his  removal  may  be  sanctified  to 
my  good  and  the  good  of  the  family !  He  was  about 
sixty-five  years  of  age.  He  was  a  friend  to  the  poor  and 
oppressed ;  he  had  been  a  professed  churchman,  and 
was  united  to  the  Methodist  connection  about  seventeen 
or  eighteen  years.  His  house  and  heart  were  always 
open,  and  he  was  a  faithful  friend  to  liberty  in  spirit  and 
practice ;  he  was  a  most  indulgent  husband,  a  tender 
father,  and  an  aflfectionate  friend. 

June  24.  I  preached  twice  in  town,  and  was  delivered 
from  my  gloomy  state  of  mind.  I  spent  part  of  the  week 
in  visiting  from  house  to  house.  I  feel  happy  in  speaking 
to  all  I  find,  whether  parents,  children,  or  servants ;  I  see 
no  other  way ;  the  common  means  will  not  do.  Baxter, 
Wesley,  and  our  Form  of  Discipline  say,  "Go  into  every 
house" ;  I  would  go  farther,  and  say,  go  into  every  kitchen 


1795]  PERSONAL  WORK  397 

and  shop ;  address  all,  aged  and  young-,  on  the  salvation 
of  their  souls.    We  surely  cannot  do  less. 

"With  Loving  Friends 

June  13.  Our  friends  were  loving  at  the  Dorset  quar- 
terly meeting,  but  not  very  lively ;  however,  there  was 
some  stir  in  the  love  feast.  At  eleven  o'clock  we  had 
nearly  a  thousand  ])cople  collected,  but  they  are  aw- 
fully hardened.  We  had  a  heavy  time;  I  felt  much  like 
what  I  suppose  Jonah  felt.  We  were  furnished  richly 
with  the  comforts  of  life.  I  came  to  the  dwelling  house 
of  my  dear  friend  Judge  White  (whose  death  I  have 
already  mentioned)  ;  it  was  like  his  funeral  to  me.  I 
learned  since  I  came  here,  and  I  think  it  worthy  of  ob- 
servation, that  just  before  he  died,  unknown  to  his  wife, 
he  had  showed  Samuel  his  son,  his  books,  and  given 
directions  concerning  his  house,  etc.  He  then  came  to 
his  wife,  and  said,  "I  feel  as  I  never  felt  before,"  and 
gave  certain  directions  concerning  his  burial. 

June  21.  I  preached  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  three 
times,  not  with  the  success  I  would  wish.  I  was  exceed- 
ing assisted  in  meeting  the  classes,  in  which  I  spent  three 
days,  and  am  now  of  opinion  that  there  is  more  religion 
among  the  society  than  I  expected.  I  trust  both  they 
and  myself  will  remember  this  visit  for  days  to  come. 
I  was  also  much  quickened  in  meeting  the  local  preachers 
and  leaders,  who  spoke  feelingly  of  the  state  of  their 
souls  and  the  work  of  God.  I  now  go  hence  to  meet  new 
troubles,  and  to  labor  while  feeble  life  shall  last. 

Enters  New  York  by  a  New  Door 

June  29.  I  came  to  New  York  the  new  way  by  New- 
ark bridges,  which  are  well  established  over  Second  and 
Passaic  Rivers ;  it  is  the  nearest  way  to  New  York,  and 
preserves  the  traveler  from  heat  in  the  summer  and 
cold  in  the  winter,  from  mosquitoes,  and  delays  by  winds 


398  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1795 

and  other  incidents.  I  began  meeting  the  women's  classes, 
and  felt  happy,  and  found  the  Lord  was  among  the 
sisters.    God  is  at  work  here  in  New  York. 

Doctrine  and  Discipline  of  the  Chwrch 

July  4.  Being  the  anniversary  of  Independence,  the 
bells  ringing,  drums  beating,  guns  firing,  and  orations  on 
liberty,  and  equality  too,  are  not  forgotten.  I  see  the 
need  of  being  more  watchful  among  the  best  of  men ; 
a  spirit  of  love  exists  among  the  preachers,  but  we  are 
far  from  being  as  spiritual  as  we  ought  to  be.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Ogden  was  kind  enough  to  present  me  with  his  first 
volume,  On  Revealed  Religion.  It  contains  a  soft,  yet 
general  answer,  to  the  deistical,  atheistical  oracle  of  the 
day,  Thomas  Paine,  and  is  a  most  excellent  compilation, 
taken  from  a  great  number  of  ancient  and  modern  writers 
on  the  side  of  truth,  and  will  be  new  to  common  readers. 
So  far  as  I  have  read,  I  can  recommend  it  to  those  who 
wish  for  full  information  on  the  subject.  I  met  the 
official  members  of  the  society  ;  and  had  some  close  talk 
on  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Church.  I  asked 
if  they  wished  to  be  Methodists ;  but  how  could  I  suppose 
anything  else,  when  they  had  been  a  society  of  nearly 
thirty  years'  standing? 

July  5.  I  preached  in  Brooklyn  in  the  morning,  and 
returned  to  assist  in  the  sacrament  in  the  afternoon  at 
the  new  church  ;  I  then  met  the  black  classes,  and  preached 
at  half-past  six.  I  closed  my  day's  work  by  meeting  two 
men's  classes. 

July  6.  I  met  nine  classes ;  so  that  I  have  now  spoken 
to  most  of  the  members  here,  one  by  one.  I  left  the  city 
in  peace,  and  received  of  their  bounty  toward  bearing  my 
expenses.  We  came  to  Stamford,  where  I  preached  in 
a  private  house. 

July  10.  We  had  a  very  warm  ride,  fourteen  miles, 
to  New  Haven.     I  think  it  as  sultrv  here  as  it  was  the 


1795]      AUDIENCES  LARGE  AND  LIFELESS       399 

tenth  of  June  in  Delaware.  Nothing-  would  do  but  I 
nmst  preach  in  Dr.  lulwards's  meetinghouse,  which  I  did, 
on  these  words:  "Vea,  doubtless,  and  I  count  all  things 
but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Jesus 
Christ  my  Lord." 

July  ii.  I  came  to  Middletown;  we  had  a  prayer 
meeting,  and  I  spent  some  time  in  visiting  from  house  to 
house. 

July  27.  I  rode  through  some  rain  to  Lynn.  I  was 
much  shut  up  and  distressed  in  my  public  exercises.  My 
congregations  were  large  and  lifeless.  Since  I  have  been 
in  Lynn  I  have  visited  Woodsend  and  Gravesend,  met 
five  classes,  visited  about  one  dozen  families,  and  talked 
to  them  personally  about  their  souls,  and  prayed  with 
them.  I  have  filled  up  intervals  in  reading  my  Bible, 
and  the  second  volume  of  Mr.  Wesley's  Sermons.  O, 
how  I  wish  our  preachers  and  people  to  read  his  Journal, 
Sermons,  and  Notes ! 

Aug.  3.  Now  I  bid  farewell  to  Lynn  for  two  years. 
I  rode  a  solitary  way  through  Maiden,  Mystic,  and  North 
Cambridge,  and  preached  at  Waltham,  at  five  o'clock,  to 
a  few  people ;  the  great  rain  prevented  many  from  attend- 
ing. Brother  Roberts  took  an  intermittent  fever  when 
we  were  at  New  Haven,  and  hath  labored  and  suffered, 
sick  or  well,  until  he  is  almost  dead.  I  received  from  the 
quarterly  meeting  held  in  Fairfield  Circuit  what  I  should 
be  glad  to  receive  once  a  year  from  every  circuit  in  the 
Union.  It  was  as  follows :  "The  preachers  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  order  who  have  traveled  on  this  circuit 
since  the  last  Conference  have  so  conducted  themselves 
that  their  characters  are  unimpeachable."  Signed  by  the 
local  preachers,  exhorters,  stewards,  and  leaders. 

Plan  of  Travels  for  1797 

Aug.  10.  If  I  accomplish  the  tour  I  have  in  contem- 
plation, it  will  make  about  six  or  seven  hundred  miles  to 


400  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1795 

the  city  of  New  York.  I  was  stopped  by  the  rain ;  but 
when  I  cannot  do  one  thing  another  offers.  I  could  read, 
write,  pray,  and  plan.  I  laid  out  a  plan  for  my  travels 
in  1797:  through  Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  Massachu- 
setts, Province  of  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  and 
New  York,  making  a  distance  of  twelve  or  fifteen  hun- 
dred miles.     I  set  out  for  Williamstown. 

Aug.  21.  We  rode  in  the  afternoon  into  the  woods  of 
Bennington. 

This  was  Bishop  Asbury's  first  visit  to  Vermont. 

I  have  felt  awful  for  this  place  and  people ;  but  God 
is  able  of  these  stones  to  raise  up  children  unto  Abraham. 

Aug.  22.  Brother  Roberts  and  myself  parted.  He 
went  to  Pownell,  and  myself  to  Ashgrove,  where  we  have 
a  society  of  about  sixty  members.  They  originated  with 
Philip  Embury,  who  left  the  city  of  New  York  when  the 
British  preachers  came  here.  He  continued  to  pursue 
his  purpose  of  forming  societies  in  the  country,  but,  dying 
in  a  few  years,  the  society  was  left,  and  were  without 
preaching  by  the  Methodists  for  fifteen  years. 

Embury,  in  whose  house  in  New  York  the  first  Methodist 
service  was  held,  in  1766,  he  himself  preaching  the  sermon, 
and  who  occupied  the  pulpit  of  Wesley  Chapel,  the  first  Meth- 
odist church  in  America,  after  its  completion  in  1768  until  the 
arrival  of  Boardman  and  Pil«ioor  the  following  year,  when  he 
moved  to  Washington  County,  New  York,  died  there  in  1775, 
as  the  result  of  an  accident,  and  was  buried  at  Ashgrove,  where 
his  monument  may  still  be  seen. 

Sept.  5.  We  were  crowded  with  people.  I  suppose 
we  had,  perhaps,  a  thousand  at  the  stone  church  at  Coey- 
man's  Patent ;  and  I  felt  some  life  and  warmth  among 
them. 

Sept.  6.  In  the  morning  we  had  baptism,  ordination, 
sacrament,  and  love  feast ;  some  spoke  with  life  of  the 
goodness  of  God.  I  gave  them  a  discourse  at  eleven 
o'clock,  and  then  went  to  bed  with  a  high  fever.    Brother 


1795] 


SPIRITUAL  RICHES 


401 


Roberts  pleased  and,  I  trust,  profited  the  people  with  a 
discourse,  after  I  had  done. 

Visits  Garrettson 

Sept.    12.      We   reached    Brother   Garrettson's.      God 
once  put  into  Brother  Garrettson's  hands  great  riches  of 


METHODIST    LANDMARKS    IN    WESTCHESTER    COUNTY,    NEW 

YORK. 

The  house  where  the  New  Rochelle  society  was  formed,  the  second  or 
third  oldest  in  New  York  State. 
The  old  Methodist  church  (now  a  bam),  upper  New  Rochelle. 

a  spiritual  nature,  and  he  labored  much ;  if  he  now  does 
equal  good  according  to  his  temporal  ability,  he  will  be 
blessed  by  the  Lord,  and  by  men. 


402  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1795 

Sept.  16.  We  got  no  dinner,  and  had  to  ride  twelve 
miles  to  get  to  our  supper  and  lodgings.  We  stopped 
at  Governor  Van  Cortlandt's,  who  reminds  me  of  Gen- 
eral Russell ;  we  had  all  we  needed,  and  abundantly  more 
than  we  desired. 

Sept.  20.  I  had  a  comfortable  time  at  Croton  Chapel, 
on  Rom.  i.  16.  I  returned  to  General  Van  Cortlandt's, 
and  dined  with  my  dear  aged  friends.  Shall  we  ever 
meet  again?  We  came  to  Fisher's,  near  the  White 
Plains  chapel,  to  hold  Conference. 

Sept.  22.  A  few  of  us  met  in  Conference,  the  main 
body  of  the  preachers  not  coming  in  until  about  twelve 
o'clock.  We  went  through  the  business  of  the  Confer- 
ence in  three  days,  forty-three  preachers  being  present. 
I  was  greatly  disappointed  in  not  hearing  the  preachers 
give  a  full  and  free  account  of  themselves  and  circuits. 
Although  we  sat  ten  hours  in  each  day,  we  did  not  close 
our  business  until  Thursday  evening,  after  sitting  each 
night  till  twelve  o'clock. 

Oct.  4  (Philadelphia).  I  preached  on,  ''All  seek  their 
own,  not  the  things  which  are  Jesus  Christ's."  In  doing 
which  I  pointed  out:  i.  The  things  that  are  Jesus 
Christ's ;  2.  How  these  are  to  be  sought ;  3.  That  men 
are  not  to  seek  themselves  wholly,  or  partially,  in  the 
ministry  of  Christ,  but  that  self  must  be  altogether  out 
of  the  question. 

Extension  of  the  Work 

Oct.  5.  We  opened  our  Conference,  and  went  on  with 
great  peace,  love,  and  deliberation,  but  were  rather 
irregular,  owing  to  some  preachers  not  coming  in  until 
the  third  or  fourth  day.  We  made  better  stations  than 
could  be  expected,  extending  from  Northampton,  in  Vir- 
ginia, to  the  Seneca  Lake,  in  New  York. 

Oct.  II.  I  preached  in  the  morning  at  the  African 
church,  in  the  afternoon  at  Ebenezer,  and  in  the  evening 


1795]  COKESBURY  INVENTORY  403 

at  Saint  Geor|^-e's.  where,  to  my  surprise,  tiie  galleries 
were  filled.  I  applied,  "Knowing  therefore  the  terror  of 
the  Lord,  we  persuade  men." 

Oct.  12.  After  getting  a  copy  of  the  ^Minutes  I  came 
to  Chester,  and  dined  with  Mary  Withey,  who  hath  lived 
a  widow  in  this  house  thirty-one  years,  and  hath  kept  one 
of  the  most  complete  houses  of  entertainment  in  America. 
She  hath  sold  out  for  £3,000,  and  is  to  give  place  in 
three  wrecks. 

Oct.  14.  We  came  to  Cokesbury.  Here  we  under- 
took to  make  an  inventory  of  all  the  property  belonging 
to  Cokesbury  College,  and  found  the  sum  total  of  the 
amount  to  be  £7.104  12s.  gd. 

A  Deficiency  Collection 

Oct.  20.  Our  Conference  began.  We  had  preachers 
from  the  Northern  Neck,  and  wdiat  is  called  New  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  west  of  Maryland ;  about  fifty-five  in  num- 
ber. On  Friday  night  there  was  a  public  collection  for 
the  assistance  of  the  preachers  who  were  deficient  in 
their  quarterage. 

Oct.  25.  I  preached  on,  "Then  shall  many  be  oflfended, 
and  shall  betray  one  another."  As  I  wished  not  to  be 
idle,  I  concluded  to  spend  a  good  part  of  this  week  in 
meeting  classes.  The  Africans  of  this  town  desire  a 
church,  which,  in  temporals,  shall  be  altogether  under 
their  own  direction,  and  ask  greater  privileges  than  the 
white  stewards  and  trustees  ever  had  a  right  to  claim. 
They  must  be  wisely  guided. 

Oct.  29.  Was  a  very  solemn  day  of  thanksgiving ;  the 
subject  I  made  choice  of  was  Psa.  147.  20,  "He  hath  not 
dealt  so  with  any  nation."  This  I  applied  spiritually, 
I.  To  ourselves  as  individuals;  2.  As  it  applies  to  our 
families ;  3.  To  the  society  and  ministry ;  4.  As  it  applies 
to  the  continent. 

Nov.  17.     We  were  kindly  entertained  at  P.  Davies's. 


404  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1795 

Stephen,  his  brother,  is  dead,  and  hath  left  the  chief  of 
what  he  had  to  the  church.  He  hath  appointed  me  his 
trustee  to  dispose  of  it,  and  Ira  Ellis  his  executor. 

It  is  thought  that  this  is  the  first  bequest  made  to  the  Meth- 
odist Church  by  anyone  in  America. 

Nov.  19.  I  preached  at  Richmond,  and  the  next  day 
came,  cold  and  hungry,  to  my  affectionate,  kind,  adopted 
son,  J.  Harding,  in  Petersburg.  Here  several  of  the 
preachers  met  me,  to  accompany  me  to  the  quarterly 
meeting  in  Brunswick. 

Nov.  24.  Our  Conference  began  at  Salem  Chapel ; 
there  were  present  about  fifty  members,  and  sixteen  pro- 
bationers. We  had  close  work,  and  great  harmony  in 
sentiment. 

Nov.  29.  Was  a  great  day.  I  preached  on  i  Tim. 
3.  15,  16;  and  there  were  ten  elders  and  nine  deacons 
ordained.  This  part  of  the  connection  has  regained  its 
proper  tone,  after  being  kept  out  of  tune  for  five  years 
by  an  unhappy  division.  We  were  kindly  entertained  by 
our  friends  and  brethren ;  preachers  and  people  were 
blessed,  and  we  parted  in  peace. 

Throtigli  the  Swamps 

Nov.  21.  We  set  out  by  sunrise,  and  had  to  work  our 
way  through  the  swamps,  where  I  feared  being  plunged 
in  head  foremost.  We  came  down  to  Brunswick 
County,  North  Carolina,  twenty  miles  to  Norman's, 
within  the  line  of  South  Carolina.  Cross  where  you  will 
between  the  states,  and  it  is  a  miserable  pass  for  one  hun- 
dred miles  west.  I  was  much  led  out  on  Rev.  21.  6-8. 
This  country  abounds  with  bays,  swamps,  and  drains ;  if 
there  were  here  no  sinners  I  would  not  go  along  these 
roads. 

Christmas  Day.  We  set  out  at  six  o'clock  for 
Georgetown,  and  came  to  Urania  Ferry,  which  we 
crossed.     We  were  detained  at  the  two   ferries  about 


1796]       COKESBURY  COLLEGE  BURNED         405 

three  hours,  and  rested  one.  and  came  to  Georgetown 
about  four  o'clock  in  the  evening,  having  ridden  thirty- 
seven  miles  without  eating  or  drinking,  except  a  lowland 
hard  apple,  which  I  found  in  my  pocket. 

Dec.  30.  We  reached  Charleston,  having  made  it 
about  seventy-four  miles  from  Georgetown,  along  an  ex- 
cellent road.  Here  are  the  rich,  the  rice,  and  the  slaves ; 
the  last  is  awful  to  me.  Wealthy  people  settled  on  the 
rice  lands  of  Cooper  River  hold  from  fifty  to  two  hundred 
slaves  on  a  plantation  in  chains  and  bondage. 

Chains  and  Bondage 

Jan.  I,  1796.  I  gave  them  a  sermon  suited  to  the  be- 
ginning of  the  year,  and  the  sacred  fire  was  felt.  Satur- 
day, 2,  we  began  our  Conference.  Lord's  Day,  3,  was  a 
day  of  extraordinary  divine  power,  particularly  at  the 
sacrament ;  white  and  black  cried  and  shouted  the  praises 
of  God — yea, 

"  Clap  your  hands,  ye  people  all, 
Praise  the  God  on  whom  ye  call." 

Jan.  4.  We  again  entered  on  the  business  of  Confer- 
ence ;  present,  about  twenty  members  and  seven 
graduates. 

Jan.  5.  Continued  our  business ;  we  have  a  great 
peace  and  love,  see  eye  to  eye,  and  heart  to  heart.  We 
have  now  a  second  and  confirmed  account  that  Cokes- 
bury  College  is  consumed  to  ashes,  a  sacrifice  of  £10,000 
in  about  ten  years!  The  foundation  was  laid  in  1785, 
and  it  was  burned  December  7,  1795.  Its  enemies  may 
rejoice,  and  its  friends  need  not  mourn.  Would  any 
man  give  me  £10,000  per  year  to  do  and  suffer  again 
what  I  have  done  for  that  house,  I  would  not  do  it.  The 
Lord  called  not  Whitefield  nor  the  Methodists  to  build 
colleges.  I  wished  only  for  schools;  Dr.  Coke  wanted  a 
college.    I  feel  distressed  at  the  loss  of  the  library. 


4o6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1796 

Asbury  was  certainly  not  opposed  to  schools.  Dr.  Bangs 
thinks  that  he  failed  to  give  a  right  value  to  education.  But 
the  fact  that  he  planned  schools  over  the  whole  connection 
would  seem  to  disprove  this.  He  had  to  do,  for  example,  with 
Ebenezer  in  Virginia,  Cokesbury  in  Maryland,  Bethel  in  Ken- 
tucky, Bethel  in  South  Carolina,  Cokesbury  in  North  Carolina, 
and  Wesley  and  Whitefield  in  Georgia. 

Jan.  7,  we  observed  as  a  clay  of  fasting  and  humilia- 
tion, to  seek  the  blessing  of  God  on  the  Conference.  We 
began,  continued,  and  parted  in  the  greatest  peace  and 
union.  We  concluded  to  send  Jonathan  Jackson  and 
Josias  Randle,  alternately,  as  missionaries  to  Savannah 
and  the  ancient  parts  of  Georgia.  We  have  in  some  cases 
had  to  station  one  preacher  where  formerly  there  ,were 
two.  I  lament  the  partiality  of  the  people  for  and  against 
particular  preachers. 

Jan.  II.  In  reading  Mr.  Winterbotham's  Views  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  I  compared  the  great  talk 
about  President  Washington  formerly  with  what  some 
say  and  write  of  him  now :  according  to  some  he  then  did 
nothing  wrong ;  it  is  now  said  that  he  was  always  partial 
to  aristocrats  and  continental  officers. 

As  to  the  latter,  I  ask.  Who  bought  the  liberty  of  the 
states?  the  continental  officers — and  surely  they  should 
reap  a  little  of  the  sweets  of  rest  and  peace ;  these  were 
not  chimney-corner  Whigs.  But  favors  to  many  of  the 
officers  now  would  come  too  late — a  great  number  of 
them  are  gone  to  eternity,  their  constitutions  being 
broken  with  hard  fare  and  labor  during  the  war.  As  to 
myself,  the  longer  I  live,  and  the  more  I  investigate,  the 
more  I  applaud  the  uniform  conduct  of  President  Wash- 
ington in  all  the  important  stations  which  he  has  filled. 

Letters  to  Old  Friends 

Jan,  21.  I  have  written  to  several  of  my  ancient 
friends  in  Philadelphia.  I  may  say  of  letters,  as  it  was 
said  of  silver  in  the  davs  of  Solomon,  "I  make  no  ac- 


1796]  DEVASTATIONS  OF  FLOOD  407 

count  of  that" ;  I  suppose  I  must  write  nearly  a  thousand 
in  a  year. 

Feb.  I.  I  have  written  in  the  most  pointed  manner  to 
my  dear  brethren  at  1  Baltimore,  to  estabhsh  prayer  meet- 
ings in  every  part  of  the  town.    It  must  be  done. 

Good  News  from  Jesse  Lee 

Feb.  3.  I  had  near  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the 
African  society  at  the  love  feast  held  for  them  in  the 
evening.  O,  my  God,  display  thy  power!  I  received  good 
news  from  Jesse  Lee  concerning  the  prospect  of  religion 
in  Boston,  Providence,  and  the  District  of  Maine — that 
the  preachers,  societies,  and  quarterly  meetings  are  lively. 
The  Methodists  have  now  about  ninety  thousand  mem- 
bers of  society  in  Europe,  about  seventy  thousand  in 
America  and  the  islands,  and  about  four  hundred  in 
Africa. 

Mar.  2.  The  time  drawing  nigh  when  I  expected  to 
leave  the  city,  I  was  visited  by  my  poor  Africans,  and 
had  their  prayers  and  best  wishes.  And  now,  what  have 
I  been  doing?  I  have  preached  eighteen  sermons,  met 
all  the  classes,  fifteen  in  number,  written  about  eighty 
letters,  read  some  hundred  pages,  visited  thirty  families 
again  and  again.  In  the  course  of  my  stay  I  have  written 
more  than  three  hundred  pages  on  subjects  interesting 
to  the  society  and  connection. 

Mar.  12.  I  saw  how  the  flood  had  plowed  up  the 
street  of  Augusta.  I  walked  over  the  ruins  for  nearly 
two  miles,  viewing  the  deep  gulfs  in  the  main  street.  I 
suppose  they  would  crucify  me  if  I  were  to  tell  them  it  is 
the  African  flood ;  but  if  they  could  hear  me  think  they 
would  discover  this  to  be  my  sentiment.  I  was  honored 
with  the  church  to  preach  in,  where  I  had  about  four 
hundred  respectable  hearers.  I  have  delivered  my  own 
soul,  it  may  be  once  for  all.  I  have  ridden  about  one 
hundred  and  ninety  miles  from  Charleston  into  Georgia ; 


4o8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1796 

I  have  attended  four  meetings,  and  have  not  had,  in  all, 
above  six  hundred  hearers.    Lord,  keep  me  steadfast. 

Mar.  30.  We  had  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  Bethel 
School,  South  Carolina,  and  it  was  agreed  it  should  be  a 
free  school,  and  that  only  the  English  tongue  and  the 
sciences  should  be  taught.  I  drew  up  an  address  on  be- 
half of  the  school  in  order  to  raise  $300  per  annum,  to 
support  a  president  teacher. 

Apr.  4.  I  crossed  Lawson  Fork  at  the  high  shoals  a 
little  below  the  Beauty  Spot.  I  could  not  but  admire  the 
curiosity  of  the  people ;  my  wig  was  as  great  a  subject 
of  speculation  as  some  wonderful  animal  from  Africa 
and  India  would  have  been.  I  had  about  one  hundred 
people  at  the  meetinghouse ;  some  came  to  look  at  and 
others  to  hear  me.  We  must  needs  go  off  without  any 
dinner,  intending  to  ride  nearly  forty  miles  to  Father 
Moore's,  in  Rutherford  County,  North  Carolina. 

Meets  a  Wedding  Party 

Apr.  14.  We  took  our  departure  from  John's  River, 
up  the  branches  of  Catawba.  On  our  way  we  met  with 
a  half  dozen  living  creatures,  like  men  and  women,  who 
seemed  quite  pleased  with  their  mountain  wedding. 
They  were  under  the  whip,  riding  two  and  two  as  if  they 
would  break  their  necks ;  one  party  had  a  white  cloth  like 
a  flag,  and  the  other  a  silk  handkerchief.  When  they  had 
spent  their  fire  they  called  at  a  still-house  to  prime  again. 

Apr.  20.  Our  Conference  began  in  great  peace,  and 
thus  it  ended.  We  had  only  one  preacher  for  each 
circuit  in  Kentucky,  and  one  for  Green  Circuit  in  Ten- 
nessee. Myself  being  weak,  and  my  horse  still  weaker, 
I  judged  it  impracticable  to  attempt  going  through  the 
wilderness  to  Kentucky ;  and  have  concluded  to  visit 
Nollichucky.  I  wrote  an  apology  to  the  brethren  in  Ken- 
tucky for  my  not  coming,  informing  them  of  the  cause. 

Apr.  25.     On  the  banks  of  Nollichucky  I  parted  with 


1796]  SUDDEN  DEATH  409 

our  dear  suffering  brethren,  going  through  the  howUng 
wilderness.  I  feel  happy  in  God.  Sinners  appear  to  be 
hardened,  and  professors  cold ;  the  preachers,  although 
young  men,  appear  to  be  solemn  and  devoted  to  God,  and 
doubtless  are  men  who  may  be  depended  upon. 

Many  Sorrows  and  Burdens 

May  I.  We  came  to  Acuff's  Chapel.  I  found  the 
family  sorrowful  and  weeping,  on  account  of  the  death 
of  Francis  Acuff,  who  from  a  fiddler  became  a  Christian ; 
and  from  a  Christian,  a  preacher;  and  from  a  preacher, 
I  trust,  a  glorified  saint.  He  died  in  the  work  of  the  Lord 
in  Kentucky.  I  found  myself  assisted  in  preaching  on 
Eph.  2.  I,  2.  I  was  somewhat  alarmed  at  the  sudden 
death  of  Reuben  Ellis,  who  hath  been  in  the  ministry 
upward  of  twenty  years ;  a  faithful  man  of  God,  of  slow, 
but  very  solid  parts ;  he  was  an  excellent  counselor,  and 
steady  yokefellow  in  Jesus.  My  mind  is  variously  exer- 
cised as  to  future  events,  whether  it  is  my  duty  to  con- 
tinue to  bear  the  burden  I  now  bear,  or  whether  I  had 
not  better  retire  to  some  other  land.  I  am  not  without 
fears  that  a  door  will  be  opened  to  honor,  ease,  or  in- 
terest; and  then  farewell  to  religion  in  the  American 
Methodist  Connection  ;  but  death  may  soon  end  all  these 
thoughts,  and  quiet  all  these  fears. 

May  20.  HI  could  have  regular  food  and  sleep  I 
could  stand  the  fatigue  I  have  to  go  through  much  better ; 
but  this  is  impossible  under  some  circumstances.  To 
sleep  four  hours,  and  ride  forty  miles  without  food  or 
fire,  is  hard ;  but  we  had  water  enough  in  the  rivers  and 
creeks.  I  shall  have  ridden  nearly  one  thousand  miles 
on  the  western  waters  before  I  leave  them ;  I  have  been 
on  the  waters  of  Nollichucky  to  the  mouth  of  Clinch ;  on 
the  north,  middle,  and  south  branches  of  Holston  ;  on 
New  River,  Greenbrier,  and  by  the  head  springs  of 
Monongahela.    HI  were  able  I  should  go  from  Charles- 


4IO 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1796 


ton,  South  Carolina,  a  direct  course,  five  hundred  miles, 
to  Nollichucky,  thence  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to 
Cumberland,  thence  one  hundred  to  Kentucky,  thence 
one  hundred  miles  through  that  state,  and  two  hundred 
to  Saltsburg,  thence  two  hundred  to  Greenbrier,  thence 


THE    ITINERANT. 
From  the  engraving  in  the  Ladies'  Repository. 

two  hundred  to  Redstone,  and  three  hundred  to  Balti- 
more. Ah  !  if  I  were  yoimg  again  !  I  was  happy  to  have 
a  comfortable  night's  sleep,  after  a  hard  day's  ride,  and 
but  little  rest  the  night  before.  I  have  now  a  little  time 
to  refit,  recollect,  and  write.  Here  forts  and  savages 
once  had  a  being,  but  now  peace  and  improvement. 

June  22.  I  borrowed  a  horse  to  ride  nine  miles,  and 
then  made  out  to  get  to  Baltimore.  O  what  times  are 
here !  The  academy  is  crowded  ;  they  have  five  teachers, 
and  nearly  two  hundred  scholars.    I  will  now  take  a  view 


1796]  MANY  MILES  OF  TRAVEL  411 

of  ni}'  journey  for  some  months  past.  From  the  best 
judgment  I  can  form,  the  distance  is  as  follows:  from 
Baltimore  to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  one  thousand 
miles,  thence  up  the  state  of  South  Carolina  two  hundred 
miles,  from  the  center  to  the  west  of  Georgia  two  hun- 
dred miles,  through  North  Carolina  one  hundred  miles, 
through  the  state  of  Tennessee  one  hundred  miles, 
through  the  west  of  Virginia  three  hundred  miles, 
through  Pennsylvania  and  the  west  of  Maryland  and 
down  to  Baltimore  four  hundred  miles. 

July  i.  Came  to  Abingdon,  and  saw  the  walls  of 
Cokesbur}-  with  some  pain  of  mind.  We  came  in  the 
evening  to  Mr.  Dallam's,  whose  house  was  the  first  home 
I  had  in  these  parts.  Sister  Dallam  is  worn  out  with 
affliction ;  but  her  confidence  in  God  continues,  and  ap- 
pears to  grow  stronger. 

A  Large  Congregation 

July  ii.  We  came  to  Snow  Hill,  on  Pocomoke  River, 
I  called  on  the  weeping  widow  Bowen,  whose  late  hus- 
band, after  being  the  principal  in  building  a  house  for 
divine  worship,  died  in  peace.  Here  I  met  about  one 
thousand  people ;  being  unable  to  command  the  congre- 
gation from  the  pulpit,  I  stood  in  one  of  the  doors,  and 
preached  to  those  who  were  out  of  the  house.  I  rode 
eight  miles  to  the  seashore ;  when  we  came  near  we  felt 
the  cool  sea  breeze  very  powerfully.  I  lodged  with  S. 
Evans,  whose  house  I  visited  sixteen  years  ago ;  here  are 
two  people  above  seventy  years  of  age.  who  have  lived 
together  forty-eight  years. 

July  25.  About  thirty-five  minutes  before  I  began 
meeting  I  received  the  last  loving  request  of  our  dear 
Brother  William  Jessup,  which  was  to  preach  his  funeral 
sermon.  I  had  my  difficulties  in  speaking,  and  the  people 
in  hearing,  of  a  man  so  well  known  and  so  much  beloved ; 
he  was  always  solemn,  and  few  such  holy,  steady  men 


412  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1796 

have  been  found  among  us.     I  stopped  at  Middletown, 
Wilmington,  and  Chester  on  my  way  to  Philadelphia. 

July  28.  I  preached  on  Psa.  2^.  I  have  thought 
that  we  should  preach  as  if  we  expected  no  help  from  the 
people ;  yea,  as  if  we  believed  that  enemies  of  God  and 
us  were  in  the  congregation.  I  began  meeting  classes  in 
the  city.  I  had  some  pleasure  in  receiving  news  of  a 
revival  of  religion  in  the  South ;  likewise  from  the 
B^astern  states.  But  there  are  great  failures  among  the 
preachers  on  account  of  health,  etc.,  preventing  their 
traveling  and  standing  to  the  work. 

Fletcher's  Portrait  of  Saint  Paul 

July  30.  I  began  reading  Mr.  Fletcher's  Portrait  of 
Saint  Paul ;  the  notes  are  significant,  and  show  what  a 
minister  of  the  gospel  ought  to  be,  and  what  he  may  be 
through  grace. 

July  31.  I  had  some  life  and  more  liberty  at  Ebenezer 
in  the  morning  at  five  o'clock.  I  must  needs  attend  the 
Second  African  Church,  and  at  half-past  seven  o'clock, 
in  the  great  unwieldy  house  and  congregation  in  Fourth 
Street,  I  preached  on  John  i.  17. 

Aug.  I.  I  drew  the  outlines  of  a  subscription,  that 
may  fonn  a  part  of  a  constitution  of  a  general  fund,  for 
the  sole  purpose  of  supporting  the  traveling  ministry ;  to 
have  respect,  i.  To  the  single  men  that  suffer  and  are  in 
want ;  2.  To  the  married  traveling  preachers ;  3.  To  the 
worn-out  preachers ;  4.  To  the  widows  and  orphans  of 
those  who  have  lived  and  died  in  the  work ;  5.  To  enable 
the  yearly  Conference  to  employ  more  married  men  ;  and, 
finally,  to  supply  the  wants  of  all  the  traveling  preachers, 
under  certain  regulations  and  restrictions,  as  the  state  of 
the  fund  will  admit. 

Aug.  7.  It  being  rainy  in  the  morning,  my  congrega- 
tion was  not  very  large  at  Trenton.  I  preached  on  Isa. 
62.  10:  I.  The  charge  to  the  ministry  to  go  through  the 


1796]  REBUKES  BLASPHEMERS  413 

gates  as  ministers  and  Christians ;  2.  Prepare  the  way — 
removing  all  the  difficulties ;  3.  Cast  up  the  highway — re- 
pentance, regeneration,  and  sanctification ;  4.  Gather  out 
the  stones — wicked  ministers  and  people ;  5.  Set  up  the 
standard — that  is,  form  the  Christian  church  ;  give  the 
standard  of  Christian  doctrine  and  experience.  In  the 
afternoon  I  preached  on  Heb.  10.  38. 

Aug.  10.  I  thought  it  good  not  to  be  idle,  so  I  went 
to  Hackettstown,  and  preached  on,  "The  promise  is  to 
vou,  and  to  your  children."  Thence  we  rode  to  Dover, 
where  we  had  many  people  at  a  short  warning.  I  ad- 
mired the  solemnity  of  the  women ;  the  men  appeared  to 
be  outdone  with  the  heat  and  labors  of  the  day. 

Aug.  15.  We  rode  to  New  York;  while  crossing  the 
ferry  some  foolish,  wicked  people  uttered  so  many  damns 
that  I  was  a  little  afraid  the  Lord  would  sink  the  boat.  I 
asked  a  man  if  he  had  any  chalk  to  lend  me  that  I  might 
mark  down  the  curses  the  company  gave  us  on  our 
passage  of  thirty  or  forty  minutes. 

Aug.  21.  I  preached  in  the  afternoon  to  about  one 
thousand  six  hundred  people,  some  of  whom  were  wicked 
and  wild  enough.  The  preachers  had  pity  upon  me,  and 
desired  me  to  preach  only  twice  this  Sabbath. 

Three  Sermons  and  Six  Classes 

Aug.  28.  I  preached  in  the  morning  at  the  old 
church ;  in  the  afternoon  at  the  new  church,  on  Heb. 

2.  3 ;  and  in  the  evening  at  the  old  church  again,  on  Rev. 

3.  2,  3,  besides  meeting  six  classes  in  the  course  of  the 
day.  Li  meeting  the  society  I  observed  to  them  that  they 
knew  but  little  of  my  life  and  labors,  unless  in  the  pulpit, 
family,  or  class  meetings ;  that  they  were  unacquainted 
with  my  labors  even  in  that  city,  much  less  could  they 
tell  where  I  had  been  and  what  I  had  been  doing  for 
one  year. 

Aug.  30.    I  delivered  my  concluding  discourse  on  Isa. 


414  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1796 

57.  18:  I.  The  penitent  backslider;  2.  The  Lord  hath 
seen  his  ways;  3.  Healing  him;  4.  Leading  him;  5.  Re- 
storing comforts  to  him. 

Heresy  in  the  Church 

Aug.  31.  I  had  a  meeting  with  the  leaders  in  close 
Conference,  and  found  it  necessary  to  explain  some  parts 
of  our  Discipline  to  them,  particularly  that  of  the  right  of 
preachers  to  expel  members,  when  tried  before  the 
society  or  a  "select  number,"  and  found  guilty  of  a 
breach  of  the  law  of  God  and  our  rules ;  and  that  if  an 
appeal  were  made  it  should  be  brought  before  the 
quarterly  meeting  Conference,  composed  of  traveling  and 
local  preachers,  leaders,  and  stewards,  and  finally  be  de- 
termined by  a  majority  of  votes.  I  found  it  also  needful 
to  observe  there  was  such  a  thing  as  heresy  in  the 
church ;  and  I  know  not  what  it  is  if  it  be  not  to  deny  the 
Lord  that  brought  them,  and  the  eternity  of  the  punish- 
ment of  the  damned,  as  is  virtually  done  by  the  Univer- 
salists.  Schism  is  not  dividing  hypocrites  from  hypo- 
crites, formal  professors  from  people  of  their  own  caste; 
it  is  not  dividing  nominal  Episcopalians  from  each  other, 
nominal  Methodists  from  nominal  Methodists,  or  nominal 
Quakers  from  nominal  Quakers,  etc.  But  schism  is  the 
dividing  real  Christians  from  each  other,  and  breaking 
the  unity  of  the  Spirit.  I  met  the  trustees ;  and  after 
going  hither  and  thither,  and  being  much  spent  with 
labor  through  the  day,  I  gave  them  a  discourse  at  the 
new  house,  in  the  evening,  on  Acts  20.  ^2.  My  attempt 
was  feeble  but  faithful. 

Sept.  8.  I  have  been  of  late  attending  quarterly  meet- 
ings, and  have  felt  great  heat  and  colds,  and  changes  of 
weather.  We  came  to  New  Haven,  where  I  preached  in 
Brother  Thatcher's  house,  near  the  foundation  of  the 
college ;  we  were  crowded,  and  I  was  elaborate  on 
Rom.  I.  16-18,  and  had  a  feeling  time. 


1796]  SERIOUS  IMPRESSIONS  415 

Sei'T.  9.  We  rode  solitary  on  the  sand  to  Middletown. 
We  dined  with  Captain  Hall,  who  received  us  kindly,  and 
entertained  us  comfortably. 

Sept.  12.  I  came  to  Old  Haddam.  Here  they  have 
built  a  new  meetinghouse.  I  conclude  that  since  I  left 
New  York  I  have  ridden  about  one  hundred  and  forty 
miles,  and  a  great  part  of  the  way  is  rough  and  rocky.  I 
think  God  is  returning  to  this  place,  and  that  great  days 
will  yet  come  in  New  England. 

Sept.  18.  We  held  our  feast  of  charity  at  eight 
o'clock.  Several  talked  very  feelingly,  among  whom 
were  some  aged  people ;  many  praised  God  for  the  in- 
strumentality of  the  Methodists  in  their  salvation.  At  the 
time  appointed  I  began  preaching  on  Rom.  8.  6-8.  A 
Universalist  had  his  book  and  pen,  or  pencil,  I  suppose, 
ready  to  take  down  my  discourse ;  I  said,  "Stop,  let  that 
gentleman  write" ;  but  it  appeared  as  though  his  fingers 
or  heart  failed  him.  Serious  impressions  appeared  to  be 
made  on  the  minds  of  some  of  the  audience.  After 
spending  about  four  hours  in  the  congregation,  including 
sacrament  and  love  feast,  I  passed  the  afternoon  in  re- 
tirement at  my  lodgings. 

A  New  Conference  Formed 

Sept.  19.  A  few  of  the  preachers  were  present  at 
Thompson,  and  we  were  able  to  form  a  Conference. 
We  talked  together,  and  rejoiced  in  the  Lord.  That 
evening  and  the  next  morning  and  the  following  day  we 
v/ere  closely  employed.  We  had  about  thirty  preachers, 
some  of  whom  were  from  the  Province  of  Maine,  three 
hundred  miles  distant,  who  gave  us  a  pleasing  relation 
of  the  work  of  God  in  those  parts.  I  delivered  a  dis- 
course on  Acts  26.  18,  19,  and  we  ordained  seven  dea- 
cons and  five  elders. 

Sept.  29  (New  York).  I  preached  on  Luke  12.  42: 
"Who  then  is  that  faithful  and  wise  steward,"  etc.     I 


4i6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1796 

began  to  confer  with  the  brethren  as  they  came  in,  and 
do  the  business  by  scraps,  as  we  could  come  at  it.  We 
were  in  doubt  whether  some  of  the  preachers  would  come 
at  all,  on  account  of  the  rumors  of  the  yellow  fever, 
which  still  appeared  in  parts  of  the  city.  On  Friday  we 
entered  fully  into  our  work ;  and  on  Saturday  we  con- 
cluded our  short  Conference,  the  preachers  being  de- 
sirous to  depart.  We  had  a  solemn,  peaceable  sitting; 
and  so  also  were  our  congregations.  I  preached  at  our 
house  in  John  Street  on  Mark  9.  i :  "There  be  some  of 
them  that  stand  here,  which  shall  not  taste  of  death,  till 
they  have  seen  the  kingdom  of  God  come  with  power." 

Oct.  2.  I  preached  at  the  house  in  John  Street,  on 
Eph.  4.  11-13,  and  had  great  enlargement.  The  feelings 
of  the  people  were  touched,  and  my  own  also,  as  if  it  had 
been  the  last  time,  as  it  probably  may  be  with  some  of 
my  hearers,  if  not  myself.  I  could  not  have  been  much 
more  moved;  it  was  with  difficulty  I  could  continue 
speaking.  In  the  afternoon,  at  the  new  house,  there  was 
also  a  move  in  the  congregation  while  I  enlarged  on 
I  Cor.  4.  10,  II.  I  ordained  in  both  houses  in  all  eight 
deacons  and  seven  elders,  and  was  on  my  feet  six  hours 
in  the  course  of  this  day. 

Oct.  10  (Philadelphia).  We  opened  a  Conference  of 
between  forty  and  fifty  preachers ;  we  had  great  love  and 
great  riches  also.  Never  before  have  we  been  able  to 
pay  the  preachers  their  salaries ;  at  this  Conference  we 
have  done  it,  and  had  $200  left  for  debts  and  difficulties 
the  preachers  had  been  involved  in.  I  was  pleased  to 
hear  such  wholesome  talk  by  our  plain  countrymen.  I 
sat  with  great  pleasure  and  heard  George  Roberts  on, 
"We  beseech  you  that  ye  receive  not  the  grace  of  God  in 
vain" ;  and  Joseph  Pilmoor  on,  "The  fountain  opened 
for  sin  and  for  uncleanness." 

Oct.  14.  We  set  apart  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  humilia- 
tion, and  for  ordination.     I  was  pleased  to  dismiss  the 


1796]  ARRIVAL  OF  COKE  417 

Conference  from  tlicir  confinement  in  business,  and  gave 
a  discourse  on,  "llumble  yourselves  under  the  mighty 
hand  of  God."  I  now  felt  willing  to  rest  both  mind  and 
body.  We  heard  by  the  newspapers  of  the  arrival  of  Dr. 
Coke  in  the  United  States. 

Oct.  18.  We  rode  to  Perry  Hall,  and  were  entertained 
with  the  greatest  kindness. 

General  Conference  of  1796 

Oct.  19.  We  came  to  Baltimore,  where  about  a  hun- 
dred preachers  were  met  for  General  Conference.  They 
agreed  to  a  committee,  and  then  complained ;  upon  which 
we  dissolved  ourselves.  I  preached  on,  "The  men  of 
Issachar  that  knew  what  Israel  ought  to  do" ;  and  again, 
on,  "Neither  as  being  lords  over  God's  heritage,  but 
being  ensamples  to  the  flock" ;  there  were  souls  awakened 
and  converted.  No  angry  passions  were  felt  among  the 
preachers;  we  had  a  great  deal  of  good  and  judicious 
talk.  The  Conference  rose  on  Thursday,  the  third  of 
November.  What  we  have  done  is  printed.  Bishop 
Coke  was  cordially  received,  as  my  friend  and  colleague, 
to  be  wholly  for  America,  unless  a  way  should  be  opened 
to  France.  At  this  Conference  there  was  a  stroke  aimed 
at  the  presiding  eldership.  I  am  thankful  that  our 
session  is  over.  My  soul  and  body  have  health,  and  have 
hard  labor.  Brother  Whatcoat  is  going  to  the  south  of 
Virginia,  Brother  McClaskey  is  going  to  New  Jersey, 
Brother  Ware  to  Pennsylvania,  and  Brother  Hutchinson 
to  New  York  and  Connecticut.  Very  great  and  good 
changes  have  taken  place. 

The  entire  work  was  now  divided  into  six  yearly  Confer- 
ences of  greater  territorial  extent  than  the  numerous  "district" 
Conferences  which  had  been  held  annually  for  the  convenience 
of  the  preachers  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  but  which  had 
borne  no  distinctive  names  and  had  received  no  defined  terri- 
torial limits.  These  six  Conferences  were  the  New  England, 
Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Virginia,  South  Carolina,  and  Western. 


4i8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1796 

Nov.  6.  We  came  directly  to  Alexandria.  Dr.  Coke 
preached  on.  "The  wise  men  that  came  to  Jesus" ; 
Brother  Whatcoat  and  myself  exhorted. 


THE  SIX  ORIGINAL  ANNUAL  CONFERENCES. 

Nov.  15.  Our  Conference  began  at  Brother  Batt's,  a 
most  convenient  house,  and  very  kind  people.  We  sat  in 
great  peace  and  good  order.  A  few  preachers  declined 
traveling.  We  elected  and  ordained  six  elders  and  nine 
deacons.  The  deficiencies  of  the  preachers  amounted  to 
upward  of  £194  Virginia  currency. 


1796]  PREACHES  TWO  HOURS  419 

Nov.  20.  Dr.  Coke  gave  a  comment  on  the  twentieth 
chapter  of  the  Revehition  of  Jesus  Christ  by  Saint  John, 
and  then  a  sermon  on  Luke  14.  26:  "He  that  loveth 
father  and  mother  more  than  me,"  etc.  I  then  gave  a 
short  exhortation,  and  ended  the  service  of  that  pleasant 
day. 

Nov.  27.  Through  hard  necessity  I  rode  sixteen  miles 
to  Brother  Cowling's,  in  Isle  of  Wight  County,  and  had 
three  rooms  in  the  house  filled,  and  there  were  some  of 
the  colored  people  out  of  doors,  notwithstanding  the  cold- 
ness of  the  weather.  My  subject  was  Heb.  10.  37-39. 
I  spoke  with  great  rapidity  for  nearly  two  hours,  admin- 
istered the  sacrament,  and  ordained  Brother  Powell  to 
the  office  of  a  deacon.  It  was  time  for  me  to  visit  this 
quarter  again,  lest  some  should  think  I  was  afraid  to 
come.  But  who  hath  been  at  the  planting  of  the  gospel 
in  the  sixteen  United  States?  Had  I  none  but  Virginia 
to  visit  I  could  show  myself  oftener. 

Asbury's  Relation  to  Wesley 

Nov.  28.  I  had  solemn  thoughts  while  I  passed  the 
house  where  Robert  Williams  lived  and  died,  whose 
funeral  rites  I  performed.  I  was  amazed  to  hear  that 
my  dear  aged  friend,  Benjamin  Evans,  now  gone  to 
glory,  was  converted  to  the  new  side  by  being  told  by 
J.  OTvelly  that  I  had  offended  Mr.  Wesley,  and  that  he 
being  about  calling  me  to  account,  I  cast  him  off  alto- 
gether. But,  query,  did  not  J.  OT<^elly  set  aside  the  ap- 
pointment of  Richard  Whatcoat?  And  did  not  the  Con- 
ference in  Baltimore  strike  that  minute  out  of  our  Dis- 
cipline which  was  called  a  rejecting  of  Mr.  Wesley? 
and  now  does  J.  O'Kelly  lay  all  the  blame  on  me?  It  is 
true,  I  never  approved  of  that  binding  minute.  I  did 
not  think  it  practical  expediency  to  obey  Mr.  Wesley,  at 
three  thousand  miles'  distance,  in  all  matters  relative  to 
church  government ;  neither  did  Brother  Whatcoat,  nor 


420  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1796 

several  others.  At  the  first  General  Conference  I  was 
mute  and  modest  when  it  passed,  and  I  was  mute  when 
it  was  expunged.  For  this  Air.  Wesley  blamed  me,  and 
was  displeased  that  I  did  not  rather  reject  the  whole 
connection,  or  leave  them,  if  they  did  not  comply.  But 
I  could  not  give  up  the  connection  so  easily,  after  labor- 
ing and  suffering  so  many  years  with  and  for  them. 
After  preaching  at  Jolhff's  we  rode  to  Portsmouth,  and 
preached  in  the  evening,  where  we  had  many  people  at 
a  short  warning.  My  subjects  this  day  were  i  John 
I.  3,  4,  and  Isa.  i.  9. 

Dec.  7.  I  preached  at  Brother  Bradford's,  on  i  John 
4.  16-18;  yesterday  on,  "The  promise  is  to  you  and  to 
your  children,"  etc.  I  parted  with  my  dear  Brother 
Whatcoat,  after  traveling  together  about  seven  hundred 
miles.  It  was  painful  to  part,  yet  I  was  well  pleased 
he  had  not  to  drive  the  rough  way,  and  that  through  the 
rain.     In  this  I  loved  my  brother  better  than  myself. 

An  Awfal  Famine 

Dec.  8.  I  came  again  to  the  widow  Phillips's,  on  Swift 
Creek.  The  house  was  filled ;  my  subject  was  awful, 
Amos  8.  1 1 :  "Behold,  the  days  come,  saith  the  Lord  God, 
that  I  will  send  a  famine  in  the  land,  not  a  famine  of 
bread,  nor  a  thirst  for  water,  but  of  hearing  the  words 
of  the  Lord."  I  observed:  i.  The  great  and  interesting 
things  contained  in  the  Word  of  the  Lord ;  2.  The  benefits 
and  blessings  communicated  by  the  faithful  preaching 
and  hearing,  believing  and  obeying  the  Word  of  the 
Lord ;  3.  The  causes  and  effects  of  this  famine :  deaths, 
removals,  backsHdings  of  ministers  and  people ;  and  had 
reference  to  ancient  times. 

Dec.  12.  I  rode  to  Father  Barrows's.  I  was  much 
led  out  on  Heb.  3.  12-14.  In  those  words:  i.  Christians 
are  cautioned  against  a  most  dreadful  end ;  2.  The  means 
to  prevent  it ;  and,  3.  The  example  of  backsliders.     The 


1796]  THE  RICH  LANDS  421 

end  interesting  and  great,  to  hold  fast  the  heginning  of 
their  confidence.  The  means,  by  exhorting  one  another 
(hiily. 

Di-:c.  19.  We  had  to  ride  early;  my  horse  trots  stiff; 
and  no  wonder,  when  I  have  ridden  him  upon  an  average 
five  thousand  miles  a  year  for  five  years  successively.  I 
preached  on  Heb.  3.  7,  8.  I  felt  as  if  the  Lord  and  his 
messengers  had  left  this  place.  My  spirit  was  grieved 
at  the  conduct  of  some  Methodists  that  hire  out  slaves 
at  public  places  to  the  highest  bidder,  to  cut,  skin,  and 
starve  them.  I  think  such  members  ought  to  be  dealt 
with  ;  on  the  side  of  the  oppressors  there  are  law  and 
power,  but  where  are  justice  and  mercy  to  the  poor 
slaves?  What  eye  will  pity,  what  hand  will  help,  or  ear 
listen  to  their  distresses?  I  will  try  if  words  can  be  like 
drawn  swords,  to  pierce  the  hearts  of  the  owners. 

Dec.  20.  At  the  rich  lands,  but  among  spiritually 
poor  people.  I  had  about  thirty  hearers,  and  here  are 
a  few  precious  souls.  Father  Ballard  and  family  still 
stand  by  us.  I  had  some  freedom  on  Heb.  3.  14: 
I.  Wherein  believers  are  partakers  of  Christ,  past,  pres- 
ent, and  to  come  in  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification, 
and  redemption.  2.  The  beginning  of  their  confidence 
steadfast  to  the  end,  without  which  they  cannot  be  saved 
or  safe.  I  described  the  nature,  effects,  and  fruits  of 
this  confidence  in  God,  in  Christ,  in  the  Holy  Spirit ;  in 
Scripture  promises,  precepts,  threatenings,  in  and  of 
heaven,  earth,  and  hell. 

Dec.  28.  Rode  thirty-seven  or  forty  miles  to  George- 
town. Here  we  have  nearly  one  hundred  /\fricans  in 
society,  while  we  have  only  seven  or  eight  whites,  our 
doctrine  being  too  close  and  our  discipline  too  strict. 
After  riding  the  above  distance  in  the  cold,  without  any 
regular  meal,  I  was  hardly  fit  for  the  pulpit  at  night ; 
however,  I  gave  them  a  talk  on,  "Glory  to  God  in  the 
highest,  and  on  the  earth  peace,  good  will  toward  men." 


422  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1797 

I  observed  on  this,  as  I  had  on  some  former  occasions, 
that  the  redemption  and  salvation  of  mankind  by  Jesns 
Christ  was  the  brightest  display  of  the  justice,  mercy, 
truth,  love,  and  holiness  of  God ;  yet  in  such  a  manner 
as  that  justice  should  not  destroy,  but  give  glory  to 
mercy;  and  that  mercy  should  not  destroy,  but  glorify 
justice  and  mercy  in  Christ  to  sinners,  justice  in  the  suf- 
ferings of  Christ,  and  in  the  punishment  of  incorrigible 
sinners.  The  truth  of  God  shineth  also ;  it  only  belongs 
to  a  God  to  preserve  and  display  all  his  attributes  and 
perfections.  In  this  plan  we  may  say  mercy  and  truth 
are  met  together,  righteousness,  or  justice,  and  peace 
have  kissed  each  other ;  and  all  the  truths  of  God  held 
sacred.  With  reverence  let  it  be  said,  God  would  no 
longer  be  God,  to  act  unlike  himself,  or  to  be  unjust, 
unmerciful,  or  unholy,  or  untrue,  or  to  swallow  up  or 
violate  one  attribute  by  exerting  another.  What  should 
we  think  of  a  governor  or  judge  that  would  pardon  all 
criminals  indiscriminately  and  unconditionally?  where 
would  be  the  exercise  of  justice? 

Seriotts  Fire  in  Baltimore 

Dec.  30.  We  set  out  in  the  rain,  crossed  Santee,  and 
rode  about  fifty  miles,  and  came  to  Brother  Jackson's 
about  nine  o'clock.  Serious  news  from  Baltimore — the 
academy,  and  our  church  in  Light  Street,  with  Brother 
Hawkins's  elegant  house,  all  destroyed  by  fire !  The  loss 
we  sustain  in  the  college,  academy,  and  church  I  esti- 
mate from  fifteen  to  twenty  thousand  pounds.  It  affected 
my  mind ;  but  I  concluded  God  loveth  the  people  of 
Baltimore,  and  he  will  keep  them  poor,  to  make  them 
pure ;  and  it  will  be  for  the  humiliation  of  the  society. 

Jan.  I,  1797.  Being  Sabbath  day,  I  lectured  on  Psa. 
84  and  on  2  Cor.  5.  Monday  I  came  to  Charleston,  and 
preached  in  the  evening  on  Eph.  5.  15,  16.  Tuesday 
we  began  Conference,  and  sat  some  days  six  or  seven 


17971  A  SERIOUS   SCENE  423 

hours.  We  had  pleasing  accounts  of  the  p;rowth  of  reh- 
gion  in  Georgia  as  well  as  in  this  state.  We  had  a  sermon 
every  evening,  and  many  to  hear. 

A  House  of  Motirning 

Jan.  17.  I  was  called  to  the  house  of  Brother  Wells, 
just  departed  this  life.  His  widow  I  found  in  prayers 
and  tears,  as  also  the  dear  children  and  servants.  We 
api^ointcd  his  funeral  to  he  at  four  o'clock  to-morrow. 
The  scene  was  serious.  I  learned  he  wished  to  see  me 
once  more ;  I  visited  him  every  day  I  could  with  pro- 
priety. It  is  twelve  long  years  next  March  since  he  first 
received  Henry  Willis,  Jesse  Lee,  and  myself  into  his 
house.  In  a  few  days  he  was  brought  under  heart  dis- 
tress for  sin,  and  soon  after  professed  faith  in  Christ ; 
since  that  he  hath  been  a  diligent  member  in  society. 
About  fourteen  months  ago,  when  there  was  a  revival  of 
religion  in  the  society,  and  in  his  own  family,  it  came 
home  to  his  own  soul ;  he  was  quickened,  and  remarkably 
blest,  and  continued  so  to  be  until  his  death.  His  afflic- 
tion was  long  and  very  severe.  The  last  words  he  w^as 
heard  to  say  that  could  be  understood  were  that  "he 
knew  where  he  was,  that  his  wife  was  with  him,  and  that 
God  was  with  him."  He  hath  been  a  man  of  sorrows, 
end  hath  suffered  the  loss  of  twO'  respectable  wives  and 
a  favorite  son ;  sustained  heavy  loss  by  fire,  and  was 
sibject  to  a  great  variety  of  difificulties  in  trade  and  mer- 
chandise. He  cared  much  for  the  feeling  part  of  reli- 
gion ;  a  gentleman  of  spirit,  and  sentiment,  and  fine  feel- 
ings, a  faithful  friend  to  the  poor,  and  warmly  attached 
to  the  ministers  of  the  gospel.  This  was  a  solitary  day, 
and  I  labored  under  uncommon  dejection. 

Jan.  18.  We  committed  the  dust  of  our  dear  Brother 
Wells  to  the  old  church  burying  ground,  in  Cumberland 
Street.  Dr.  Coke  performed  the  funeral  rites,  and  de- 
livered an  oration.    I  also  gave  a  very  short  one. 


424  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1797 

Jan.  24.  I  have  made  out  to  read  the  third  vokime 
of  Winterbotham's  View  of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica. This  I  do  because  I  have  some  hope  of  visiting 
British  America  before  I  die. 

Feb.  9.  To-morrow  my  dear  Coke  sails  for  Europe. 
My  mind  is  in  peace,  but  I  am  not  pleased  with  such 
confinement.  I  now  take  a  decoction  of  the  bark.  I  am 
under  great'  obligations  to  Dr.  Joseph  Ramsay  for  his 
peculiar  attention  to  me  in  my  affliction,  without  fee  or 
reward  for  his  services.  By  letter  from  John  Dickins 
I  learn  the  work  of  God  greatly  revives  in  New  York 
among  the  aged  people  and  little  children.  I  have  lately 
read  the  second  volume  of  Mr.  Wesley's  Sermons. 

Coke  Sails  for  Europe 

Feb.  10.  This  day  Dr.  Coke -is  waiting  to  sail  for 
Ireland.  Strangers  to  the  delicacies  of  Christian  friend- 
ship know  little  or  nothing  of  the  pain  of  parting.  Glad 
tidings  of  great  joy  from  New  York.  A  second  glori- 
ous work  is  begun  there,  twenty  souls  converted,  a  great 
love  feast,  and  Sabbath  evening  meeting  held  until  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  This  news  hath  given  a  spring 
to  us  in  this  city. 

Feb.  12.  I  attended  my  station,  and  stood  uoon  my 
watchtower.  My  subject  was  Feci.  5.  i  :  "Keep  thy  foot 
when  thou  goest  to  the  house  of  God."  i.  The  house  of 
God,  a  place  built  for  the  worship  and  service  of  the 
Lord ;  the  congregation  and  church ;  2.  The  exercises 
and  ordinances  of  the  house  of  God  ;  reading  and  preach- 
ing the  Word  of  God ;  prayer  and  praises ;  baptism  and 
the  Lord's  Supper.  In  his  temple  everyone  shall  speak  of 
his  glory ;  3.  The  manifestations  that  God  is  pleased  to 
make  of  himself  in  his  own  house  to  the  souls  of  his 
people ;  4.  How  people  should  prepare  for,  and  behave  in, 
the  house  of  God.  To  keep  their  eyes  and  ears,  fix  their 
attention  on  the  Lord  and  Master  of  the  house ;  5.  The 


1797]  A  POOR  BLACK'S  GIFT  425 

wicked  called  fools,  and  the  sacrifice  they  make.  Igno- 
rant of  themselves,  of  God,  of  Christ,  and  true  religion, 
and  the  worship  of  the  Lord,  and  do  not  consider  it  is 
God,  Christ,  and  sacred  things  they  make  light  of.  In 
the  afternoon,  from  Ezek.  36.  25-27,  I  showed  the  evils 
God  threatened,  and  prophesied  the  removal  of,  by  his 
servant  to  his  nominal  professed  people,  Israel:  i.  Their 
stony  heart,  their  idols  and  filthiness ;  2.  The  blessings 
promised  and  prophesied,  a  new  heart,  a  new  spirit,  the 
indwelling  and  sanctifying  influence  of  the  Spirit ;  3.  The 
blesse'd  consequential  effects — "1  will  cause  you  to  walk 
in  my  statutes,  and  ye  shall  keep  my  judgments  to  do 
them."  The  law,  the  judgments  of  God,  because  of  the 
penalty  annexed — thus  saith  the  Lord  to  the  renewed 
soul,  "Thou  shalt  have  none  other  gods  but  me."  "Lord," 
saith  the  Christian,  "I  want  none  other  but  thee."  Saith 
Jehovah,  "Thou  shalt  not  make  to  thyself  any  graven 
image."  The  pious  soul  saith,  "I  will  not ;  the  work  of 
my  hands  cannot  save  my  soul ;  I  will  not  take  thy  name 
in  vain.  I  love  thy  day.  thy  love  hath  written  thy  law 
upon  my  heart,  and  love  to  my  neighbor  engages  me  to 
fulfill  mv  duty  to  him  also."  "The  meek  shall  inherit  the 
earth,"  as  a  sacred  charter  from  the  Lord ;  this  is  their 
claim,  security,  and  defense. 

The  Widow's  Mite 

Feb.  21.  A  poor  black,  sixty  years  of  age,  who  sup- 
ports herself  by  picking  oakum,  and  the  charity  of  her 
friends,  brought  me  a  French  crown,  and  said  she  had 
been  distressed  on  my  account,  and  I  must  have  her 
money.  But  no !  although  I  have  not  three  dollars  to 
travel  two  thousand  miles,  I  will  not  take  money  from 
the  poor. 

Feb.  26.  My  farewell  discourse  was  on  i  Sam.  12. 
23,  24.  I  observed  on  the  duty  of  those  who  have  the 
charge  of  souls:  i.  To  pray  for  them;  2.  To  teach  them 


426  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1797 

the  good  and  the  right  way  ;  which  is  to  fear  the  Lord, 
and  serve  him  in  truth,  sincerity,  and  purity  of  intention ; 
3.  The  motives  to  induce  them,  the  consideration  of  the 
great  things  God  hath  done  for  them.  What  good  have 
I  attempted  to  do  here  ?  I  assisted  Dr.  Coke  in  the  Notes 
on  the  DiscipHne.  I  have  preached  every  Sabbath  ex- 
cept two ;  formed  a  plan  to  erect  a  house  in  the  west  end 
of  the  city  suburbs,  to  be  equal  to  that  in  Cumberland 
Street ;  I  have  made  peace  between  a  dying  man  and  his 
brother-in-law,  in  which  two  families  were  concerned ; 
and  I  cured  a  poor  African's  sore  leg  by  applying  a 
poultice  of  bread  and  milk. 

Mar.  4.  At  Rembert's  new  chapel  I  preached  on 
Matt.  II.  28-30,  where  I  had  some  living  sweetness. 

Mar.  6.  I  preached  in  the  courthouse  at  Camden, 
set  apart  for  a  meetinghouse:  my  subject  was,  "Knowing 
therefore  the  terror  of  the  Lord,  we  persuade  men." 
I.  I  treated  on  the  divine  character  of  Christ,  as  judge, 
his  perfections,  and  relation  to  the  persons  who  are  to  be 
tried.  •  2.  The  characters  to  be  judged,  infidels,  sinners, 
Pharisees,  hypocrites,  backsliders,  believers,  true  and 
false  ministers :  these  are  to  be  tried,  found  guilty,  or  ac- 
quitted ;  sentenced  and  punished,  or  applauded  and  re- 
warded. I  received  a  second  letter  from  New  York, 
informing  me  of  the  revival  of  religion  there  among  the 
aged  and  young  people. 

Mar.  22.  I  set  out  on  my  journey  for  the  West ;  and 
it  had  a  serious  influence  on  my  mind  to  leave  Brother 
Hill  behind,  who  I  fear  hath  a  confirmed  consumption. 

Over  the  Mountains 

Mar.  24.  I  found  hard  work  to  ride  where  Thomas 
White  had  driven  his  wagon,  for  which  he  deserves  a 
place  in  my  journal  and  a  premium  from  the  state.  When 
we  had  ascended  the  summit  of  the  mountain  we  found 
it  so  rich  and  miry  that  it  was  with  great  difficulty  we 


1797]  A  ROUGH  RIDE  427 

could  ride  along;  but  I  was  wrapped  u])  in  heavy  wet 
garments,  and  unable  to  walk  through  weakness  of  body ; 
so  we  had  it,  pitch,  slide,  and  drive  to  the  bottom. 

Mar.  25  (Tennessee).  We  were  escorted  by  three 
brave  young  Dutchmen.  After  riding  three  miles  we 
began  to  scale  the  rocks,  hills,  and  mountains,  worming 
through  pathless  woods,  to  shun  a  deep  ford.  I  thought, 
ride  I  must ;  but  no — the  company  concluded  to  walk.  I 
gave  my  horse  the  direction  of  liimself,  under  Providence. 
I  had  to  step  from  rock  to  rock,  hands  and  feet  busy; 
but  my  breath  was  soon  gone,  and  I  gave  up  the  cause, 
and  took  horse  again,  and  resolved  that  I  would  ride 
down  the  hills,  although  I  had  not  ridden  up  them. 

In  Extreme  Weakness 

Mar.  30.  I  preached  with  great  difficulty  in  the  after- 
noon, and  returned  to  William  Nelson's.  This  night  I 
felt  a  total  change  of  mind.  The  weakness  of  my  body, 
and  the  cold  and  unsettled  state  of  the  weather,  made  me, 
with  the  general  advice  of  the  preachers  present,  give 
up  the  cause ;  they  also  advised  me  to  make  the  best  of 
my  way  to  Baltimore,  and  not  to  ride  in  the  rain.  It 
may  be  the  Lord  intends  to  lead  me  in  a  way  I  have  not 
yet  known ;  it  is  perhaps  best  I  should  go  with  all  ex- 
pedient haste  from  Conference  to  Conference,  only  stop- 
ping at  the  towns  and  chief  places  on  Sabbath  days.  Live 
or  die,  I  must  ride.  After  all  the  disappointments,  per- 
haps every  purpose  is  answered  but  one.  I  have  sent 
Brother  Kobler  to  take  charge  of  Kentucky  and  Cum- 
berland, by  visiting  the  whole  every  quarter ;  Brother 
Bird  I  have  stationed  in  the  Holston  District.  I  have 
written  a  circumstantial  letter  to  Brother  Poythress  and 
the  Kentucky  Conference.  I  have  made  a  plan  for  the 
stationing  of  the  preachers,  at  least  those  of  my  standing. 

And  now  I  will  make  the  best  of  my  way  to  Baltimore ; 
perhaps  there  may  be  some  special  call  for  me  there.     I 


428  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1797 

must,  as  the  burden  of  meeting  the  Conferences,  ordain- 
ing, and  stationing  the  preachers  resteth  on  me,  save 
myself.  I  am  pecuHarly  concerned  for  the  cities ;  the 
prosperity  of  the  work  of  God  depends  much  on  having 
proper  men  for  any  and  every  part  of  the  work. 

Welcome  in  Many  Homes 

May  27.  From  the  ninth  of  April  to  the  twenty- 
seventh  of  May  I  have  kept  no  journal.  The  notes  of  our 
travels  and  troubles  taken  by  Jonathan  Bird  and  Joshua 
Wells  will  tell  a  small  part  of  my  sorrows  and  sufferings. 
I  have  traveled  about  six  hundred  miles  with  an  inflam- 
matory fever,  and  fixed  pain  in  my  breast.  I  cannot  help 
expressing  the  distinguishing  kindness  of  some  families 
where  I  have  been  forced  by  weakness  to  stop — Captain 
Shannon,  on  Walker's  Creek ;  my  friend  Scarborough, 
on  the  sinks  of  Greenbrier;  Colonel  Moffatt  and  Brother 
Young,  in  Augusta.  Neither  can  I  forget  Mr.  Lee  and 
Mr.  Moore ;  the  Harrisons,  at  Rocktown,  and  Brother  and 
Sister  McWilliams ;  Sisters  Phelps  and  Reed,  in  Win- 
chester, and  my  dear  friend  Dr.  Tiffin. 

June  10  (Maryland).  From  May  27  until  June  10, 
no  journal.  We  rode  nearly  forty  miles  from  Linganore 
to  Baltimore.  I  lodged  at  Brother  Hawkins's  retreat, 
about  one  mile  from  the  city.  I  lounged  away  a  week 
in  visiting. 

June  25.  I  met  the  male  members  of  the  society  Sab- 
bath morning,  as  I  had  met  the  sisters  and  the  official 
members  in  the  preceding  week.  I  obtained  the  liberty 
of  the  managers  of  the  African  academy  to  congregate 
the  fathers  as  well  as  teach  the  children.  We  had  nearly 
five  hundred  colored  people.  Brother  Willis  preached  on 
Acts  7.  7,  and  I  added  a  few  words.  In  the  afternoon 
I  gave  a  short  exhortation  at  Mr.  Otterbein's  church, 
on  Howard's  Hill.  I  am  now  waiting  for  the  making 
of  a  sulky.     Thomas  Barber,   from  Birmingham,  Eng- 


1797] 


NOT  A  MAN  OF  THE  WORLD 


429 


land,  took  a  second  likeness  of  me,  at  the  desire  of  my 
mother,  to  send  to  England.  I  am  trying  to  organize  the 
African  church.  I  visit,  dine,  and  ride  out  every  day ; 
but  it  is  very  hard  work  for  me  to  eat,  drink,  talk,  and 
do  nothing.  As  I  am  not  a  man  of  the  world,  the  most  of 
the  conversation  about  it  is  irksome  to  me.  I  am  taken 
from  house  to  house,  and  the  brethren  wish  the  pleasure 


PERRY    HALL    IN    I9OO. 


of  seeing  me,  and  those  who  are  acquainted  with  their 
families  will  come  to  see  me  also. 

July  4.  I  was  taken  in  a  chariot  to  Perry  Hall,  in 
company  with  Sister  Fonerdon.  I  felt  the  effects  of  my 
exertions  on  the  Sabbath,  the  want  of  rest,  rising  early, 
and  riding  to  Mr.  Cough's.  In  my  mind  I  felt  almost 
as  in  old  times.  God  hath  not  left  this  house.  I  felt 
great  love  to  the  family  in  praying  for  them  in  the  family 


430  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1797 

and  in  the  closet.  I  had  an  open  and  free  conversation 
with  Mr.  Gough  about  his  soul.  I  conversed  with  the 
servants  also,  and  had  freedom  in  prayer,  although  I  felt 
weakness  of  body.  I  wrote  a  few  letters  and  read  a  little 
in  the  Bible.    How  precious  is  the  Word  of  God ! 

Asbttry's  Strength  Fails 

July  8.  I  cannot  now,  as  heretofore,  spend  ten  hours 
out  of  sixteen  in  reading  the  Bible  in  English  or  Hebrew, 
or  other  books,  or  write  letters  from  morning  until  night. 
My  bow  is  weak,  if  not  broken ;  but  I  have  more  time  to 
speak  to  God  and  souls. 

Sept.  14.  It  is  now  eight  weeks  since  I  have  preached, 
awfully  dumb  Sabbaths !  I  have  been  most  severely 
tried  from  various  quarters ;  my  fevers,  my  feet,  and 
Satan,  would  set  in  with  my  gloomy  and  nervous  affec- 
tions. Sometimes  subject  to  the  greatest  effeminacy, 
to  distress  at  the  thought  of  a  useless,  idle  life ;  but  what 
brought  the  heavy  pang  into  my  heart,  and  the  big  tear 
to  roll,  that  never  rises  without  a  cause,  was  the  thought 
of  leaving  the  connection  without  some  proper  men  of 
their  own  election  to  go  in  and  out  before  them  in  my 
place,  and  to  keep  that  order  which  I  have  been  seeking 
these  many  years  to  establish.  My  aged  parents  were 
dear  to  me  in  their  advanced  age  and  dependent  state ; 
like  myself,  they  have  spent  what  they  had  to  spare  for 
many  years,  nearly  forty,  in  keeping  open  doors  for  the 
gospel  and  people  of  God  :  this  burden  hath  been  laid 
upon  them.  I  am  happy  that  I  can  now  ride  a  little 
every  clear  day  for  my  better  health,  and  can  eat  and 
sleep  better.  I  am  left  too  much  alone.  I  cannot  sit  in 
my  room  all  day,  making  gloomy  reflections  on  the  past, 
present,  and  future  life. 

While  Asbury  was  never  very  well,  this  year  his  sicknesses 
had  been  longer  and  more  severe,  and  his  despondency  was 
correspondingly  greater. 


179  7]  LETTER  FROM  COKE  431 

Sept.  18.  I  felt  strcng'th  of  faith  and  body,  as  if  I 
should  be  raised  up  a.q^ain.  I  rode  for  reereatiou  nine 
miles.  The  elouds  are  dispelled  from  my  mind.  I  wished 
to  speak  to  a  poor  Afriean  whom  I  saw  in  the  field  as 
I  went  out ;  and  as  I  came  along  on  my  return  he  was 
at  a  stone  wall  within  eight  or  nine  feet  of  me.  Poor 
creature !  he  seemed  struck  at  my  counsel,  and  gave  me 
thanks. 

Sept.  23.  I  received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Coke.  As  I 
thought,  so  it  is,  he  is  gone  from  Ireland  to  England, 
and  will  have  work  enough  when  he  cometh  here.  The 
three  grand  divisions  of  that  connection  are  alarming. 
It  is  a  doubt  if  the  doctor  cometh  to  America  until  spring, 
if  at  all  until  the  General  Conference.  I  am  more  than 
ever  convinced  of  the  propriety  of  the  attempts  I  have 
made  to  bring  forward  Episcopal  men :  First,  from  the 
uncertain  state  of  my  health ;  secondly,  from  a  regard  to 
the  union  and  good  order  of  the  American  body,  and  the 
state  of  the  European  connection.  I  am  sensibly  assured 
the  Americans  ought  to  act  as  if  they  expected  to  lose 
me  every  day,  and  had  no  dependence  upon  Dr.  Coke ; 
taking  prudent  care  not  to  place  themselves  at  all  under 
the  controlling  influence  of  British  Methodists. 

Christ,  the  Author  of  Salvation 

Sept.  24.  At  Sherwood's  Valley :  I  had  greatly  de- 
sired to  speak  to  these  people,  and  was  much  assisted  so 
to  do;  my  subject  was  2  Cor.  6.  2.  I  considered,  by  way 
of  introduction,  what  character  of  people  they  were  who 
are  to  be  the  subjects  of  salvation — the  lost,  the  enslaved, 
and  those  that  cannot  save  themselves;  then,  i.  Christ 
the  author  of  this  salvation ;  the  meritorious,  efficient, 
and  moving  cause ;  2.  The  nature  of  this  salvation — to 
reach  all  the  misery  and  guilt  of  sinners  ;  to  save,  redeem, 
and  liberate ;  3.  What  bespeaks  an  accepted  time  and  a 
day  of  salvation ;  to  have  God,  Christ,  the  Spirit,  minis- 


432  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1797 

ters,  means,  and  people  that  have  religion,  say.  Behold, 
now  is  the  day  of  salvation !  I  am  happy  to  hear,  by 
letters,  of  a  revival  of  the  work  in  several  places  in 
Virginia,  as  also  in  Xorth  and  South  Carolina. 

Sept.  25.  I  rode  up  to  the  Plains,  and  stopped  at 
Elijah  Crawford's.  God  hath  honored  this  house.  Two 
young  men  are  going  into  the  ministry  out  of  it.  I  have 
ridden  nearly  twenty  miles,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the 
heat  I  should  have  done  well. 

Sept.  26.  This  day  Joshua  Wells  returned  from 
Wilbraham  Conference.     Matters  were  conducted  well. 

Joshua  Wells  joined  the  itinerancy  when  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  and  lived  until  more  than  ninety-seven  years  of  age. 
He  traveled  and  preached  in  many  states  and  became  at  last 
the  oldest  living  preacher  whose  name  was  on  the  roll  of  the 
itinerancy. 

** Happy,  if  with  My  Latest  Breath" 

Oct.  10.  By  reason  of  the  fever  in  Philadelphia  our 
Conference  is  moved  to  Duck  Creek,  in  the  state  of 
Delaware.  We  began  Conference.  I  appointed  the  pre- 
siding elders  to  take  my  seat,  and  I  sat  alone,  because 
the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  upon  me.  I  was  resolved  to 
put  out  my  strength  to  the  last  in  preaching.  My  first 
subject  was  Isa.  i.  26-28;  my  second  was  on  Luke  17.  12 ; 
my  third,  2  Cor.  13.  11.  Great  times:  preaching  almost 
night  and  day ;  some  souls  converted,  and  Christians 
were  like  a  flame  of  fire.  Eleven  persons  were  set  apart 
for  elders'  and  three  for  deacons'  orders. 

Oct.  13.  We  rose.  I  was  much  outdone,  yet  happy. 
We  appointed  a  standing  committee  to  inspect  and  direct 
the  press.  We  read  some  passages  of  the  Notes  on  the 
Discipline,  and  left  the  remnant  to  this  committee. 

Oct.  16.  We  rode  to  Bohemia  Ferry,  twenty  miles. 
Dr.  Ridgely  has  sent  me  a  plenty  of  Columbo  magnesia, 
soluble  tartar,  and  bark.  I  spent  the  evening  at  Mr. 
Bassett's,  and  lectured  upon  a  chapter. 


1797]  LIGHT  STREET  CHURCH  433 

Oct.  19.  Reached  Mr.  Gough's.  I  was  comforted  in 
seeing  a  few  of  my  age  who  were  my  spiritual  children. 

Oct.  20.  After  all  the  alarm  we  came  to  Baltimore ; 
a  blessed  rain  settled  the  dust  and  purified  the  air. 

Weakness  of  the  Episcopacy 

Oct.  21.  I  opened  Conference,  and  gave  up  the  pres- 
idency to  the  presiding  elders.  I  mentioned  in  my  speech 
to  the  Conference  the  weakness  of  the  episcopacy.  The 
Conference  rose  on  Friday,  the  twenty-seventh.  There 
was  great  peace,  and  all  the  preachers,  but  myself,  satis- 
fied with  their  stations. 

Oct.  29.  I  opened  the  new  church  in  Light  Street 
with  reading  2  Chron.  7.  12;  Psa.  132;  Hag.  11;  Mark 
II.  The  elders  read  and  prayed.  My  subject  was  Eph. 
2.  19-22;  and  at  Old  Town  I  preached  on  2  Sam.  16.  17. 
I  had  to  preach  the  funeral  sermon  of  Father  Gatch  on 
I  Thess.  4.  13,  14.  I  observed:  i.  The  pleasing,  cheer- 
ing, and  charming  manner  in  which  the  apostle  described 
the  death  of  the  righteous ;  sleep,  sleep  in  Jesus ;  a  rest 
from  labor,  sorrow,  affliction,  and  pain ;  happy  opening, 
visions  of  God ;  2.  The  hope  the  pious  who  are  alive  have 
for  their  pious  dead  who  have  had  experience,  and  long 
continuance  in  religion,  and  a  comfortable  dying  in  the 
Lord. 

Nov.  I.  We  came  off  and  preached  at  the  widow 
Dorsey's,  on,  "If  in  this  life  only  we  have  hope  in  Christ. 
we  are  of  all  men  most  miserable." 

Visits  a  Famous  Bridge 

Nov.  3.  We  came  to  Georgetown.  I  felt  very  feeble 
in  body,  almost  ready  to  faint  before  we  reached  Colonel 
Bell's.  I  was  glad  through  my  weakness  to  be  excused 
from  preaching.  Brother  Lee  supplied  the  place.  I 
visited  John  Long's  family ;  I  saw  Mother  Moore  after 
more  than  twenty  years ;  she  is  going  on  to  glory.     A 


434  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1797 

son  of  Brother  Long's  was  sick,  and  distressed  about 
his  soul,  and  resolved  to  seek  redeeming  grace.  We  must 
needs  go  and  view  the  famous  bridge ;  it  is  amazing  to 
see  the  river  so  contracted  that  a  stone  could  be  pitched 
over  where  the  bridge  stands.  The  rain  came  on,  and  we 
were  glad  we  could  find  Samuel  Adams's,  three  miles 
from  the  bridge ;  here  we  were  happily  sheltered  from 
the  weather,  and  comfortably  accommodated.  I  sent  for 
Brother  Watters  and  his  wife,  and  we  improved  the 
evening  in  the  way  Christians  should — in  prayer,  sing- 
ing, reading  the  Word,  and  exhortations. 

Nov.  7.  We  thought  it  good,  as  the  weather  was  fine, 
to  stand  our  course  southward.  We  fed  at  Colchester, 
at  the  new  bridge ;  we  were  told  it  cost  $80,000.  This 
is  a  great  relief  to  hasty  travelers.  We  dined  on  the 
road,  in  the  woods,  on  what  we  brought  with  us.  We  got 
to  Dumfries,  where  court  was  then  sitting ;  we  met  sev- 
eral drunken  men  in  the  way ;  I  have  not  seen  such  sights 
for  many  days.  We  slept  at  Captain  Ward's ;  they 
expected  us  the  evening  before.  I  ordained  Brother 
Hopkinson  deacon. 

Nov.  II.  I  gave  a  short  sermon  on,  "No  man  speaking 
by  the  Spirit  of  God  calleth  Jesus  accursed :  and  that  no 
man  can  say  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  but  by  the  Holy 
Ghost."  What  is  to  be  understood  by  calling  Jesus  ac- 
cursed ?  To  put  him  wholly  out  of  the  question ;  to 
expel  him  from  being  anything  in  our  salvation ;  and  to 
say  all  the  unkind  things  that  the  Jews  said  of  him.  We 
had  to  ride  five  miles  to  the  widow  Humby's ;  here  all  was 
kindness  and  love.  We  rejoiced  to  see  our  much  es- 
teemed brethren.  Cole,  McKendree,  and  Mead,  and  to 
hear  of  a  great  and  gracious  work  of  God. 

Nov.  15.  A  snowy  day,  and  very  cold.  I  rode  seven 
miles,  cased  and  curtained  up  in  the  carriage.  I  kept 
house  at  Brother  Bellamy's ;  it  is  seven  years  since  I  was 
here.     A  society  of  nearly  forty  here  is  now  increased 


1797]  WRITES  TO  HIS  PARENTS  435 

to  one  hundred,  and  it  is  hoped  that  nearly  five  hundred 
have  joined  this  year  in  Gloucester  Circuit.  I  preached 
at  Bellamy's  Chapel  on  Heb.  3.  12,  13.  We  rode  ten 
miles  to  John  Ellis's,  where  we  were  comforted  with  kind- 
ness, and  blessed  for  one  short  night.  We  rose  early  to 
go  on  our  way,  and,  behold,  who  should  meet  us  but 
Bishop  Coke,  with  a  borrowed  horse,  and  a  large  white 
boy  riding  behind  him  on  the  same  horse !  We  halted, 
and  then  agreed  that  he  should  have  Brother  McKen- 
dree's  horse ;  but  up  came  John  Ellis,  and  took  the  doctor 
home,  and  brought  him  in  a  carriage  to  quarterly  meeting. 

Asbury's  Bible  Falls  in  River 

Nov,  20.  We  rode  thirty-one  miles  to  Brother  Moor- 
ing's.  I  had  a  thought  never  more  to  cross  at  old  James- 
town. But  we  had  a  remarkable  time  after  we  had 
embarked ;  myself  and  Dr.  Cole  crossing  in  a  skifif,  the 
horses  and  carriage  came  in  a  large  boat.  My  Bible, 
which  was  clothed  and  bound  up  in  a  handkerchief,  was 
accidentally  thrown  into  the  river,  but  the  black  man 
snatched  it  up  undamaged. 

Nov.  21.  I  wrote  a  small  epistle  to  the  official  mem- 
bers of  Baltimore,  and  another  to  Philadelphia,  as  also  a 
short  pathetic  letter  to  my  parents.  We  have  ridden  little 
less  than  four  hundred  miles  in  twenty  days,  and  rested 
one. 

Nov.  24.  I  visited  my  old  friends,  and  wrote  to  Alex- 
ander Mather.  My  route,  which  I  only  guessed  at,  is 
now  fixed  by  Norfolk,  Portsmouth,  Newbern,  Kingston, 
Georgetown,  and  Charleston — between  five  and  six  hun- 
dred miles  in  little  more  than  a  month;  sick  or  well,  liv- 
ing or  dead,  my  appointments  go  on. 

Nov.  25.  The  Conference  began  their  sitting  at  Lane's 
Chapel.  About  sixty  preachers  were  present ;  nine  or 
ten  had  located,  and  four  or  five  were  added. 

Nov.  29.     At  noon  the  Conference  rose ;  the  business 


436  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1797 

was  conducted  with  dispatch,  and  in  much  peace.  I  de- 
sired the  advice  of  the  Conference  concerning  my  health. 
The  answer  was,  that  I  should  rest  until  the  session  of 
the  Conference  to  be  held  in  April,  in  Virginia. 

Corrects  His  Jottrnal 

Dec.  I.  I  collected  the  small  remains  of  strength  I 
had,  to  read,  and  hear  read,  my  manuscript  Journal.  It 
was  written  in  such  haste  that  it  was  very  incorrect. 

Dec.  4.  I  came  off  twenty-five  miles  to  Edward  Drom- 
goole's ;  once  or  twice  I  felt  on  my  way  thither  as  if  the 
blood  would  rise  into  my  mouth.  I  resolved  to  give  up 
traveling  this  winter.  Dr.  Sims  bled  me.  I  sent  my 
papers  to  Brother  Lee,  who  proceeds  to  Charleston ;  also 
my  plan  and  directions  how  to  station  the  preachers,  to 
Brother  Jackson.  I  believed  that  my  going  to  Charleston 
this  season  would  end  my  life ;  yet,  could  I  be  persuaded 
it  was  the  will  of  the  Lord,  I  would  go  and  preach.  I 
cannot  bear  the  fatigue  of  riding  thirty  miles  in  a  day. 
I  am  much  pressed  to  make  my  will,  lest  I  should  be  sur- 
prised by  death.  My  mind  is  greatly  calmed  and  cen- 
tered in  God.  I  have  well  considered  all  the  solemnities 
of  death. 

Edward  Dromgoole  was  an  Irishman;  a  local  preacher  who 
had  traveled  for  a  number  of  years  and  was  now  living  on  a 
plantation  of  his  own.  Asbury  was  his  welcome  guest  for 
three  months.  His  entries  in  his  Journal  indicate  both  his 
weakness  and  his  impatience  to  be  at  work. 

Dec.  12.  I  read  a  few  chapters  in  the  Book  of  God. 
Li  the  evening  Air.  James  Green  Martin  came  to  receive 
deacon's  orders ;  he  brought  letters  of  consolation  from 
Richard  Whatcoat  and  Jesse  Lee ;  also  the  wishes  of  my 
dear  brethren  and  sisters  that  waited  to  see  me. 

His  Extreme  Weakness 

Dec.  13.  I  felt  a  little  better;  I  rode  out,  but  it  was 
not  as   comfortable   a   day  as   yesterday.     The   smallest 


1797]  EXTRAORDINARY  MEDICINE  437 

exercise  or  application  to  study  is  too  great  for  mc.  The 
doctor  pronounces  my  complaint  t(3  be  debility.  I  have 
taken  cider  with  nails  put  into  it,  and  have  fever  powders, 
and  must  take  more  of  the  bark. 

This  "extraordinary  drink  diet,"  as  Asbury  calls  it,  was  a 
very  remarkable  concoction.  It  was  made  of  a  quart  of  hard 
cider,  one  hundred  nails,  a  handful  of  black  snakeroot,  another 
of  pennell  seed,  and  a  third  of  wormwood.  A  wineglass  of  this 
was  taken  every  morning  for  ten  days,  the  patient  using  no 
milk  or  butter  or  meat. 

Dec.  14.  My  mind  is  grieved  with  the  old  sore  in 
Virginia ;  but  I  must  bear  it  patiently.  One  of  our  sisters 
asked  me  if  we  would  not  rebaptize  persons  that  desired 
it.  This  put  me  to  thinking  and  revolving  the  subject  in 
my  mind.  I  considered  that  there  was  neither  precept 
nor  example  in  Holy  Writ  to  justify  our  rebaptizing  one 
who  had  been  baptized  in  the  name  and  form  which 
Christ  commanded  in  Matt.  28.  19. 

Dec.  15.  I  only  read  the  Bible  and  the  Form  of  Dis- 
cipline. I  write,  ride,  and  talk  a  little  with  the  women, 
children,  and  Africans.  My  thoughts  were  led  to  medi- 
tate upon  I  Tim.  4.  16:  "Take  heed  imto  thyself,  and 
unto  the  doctrine ;  continue  in  them :  for  in  doing  this 
thou  shalt  both  save  thyself,  and  them  that  hear  thee." 
I.  "Take  heed  to  thyself;"  in  religion,  as  in  nature,  self- 
preservation  is  one  of  the  first  laws.  Take  heed  that  thy 
experience  in  religion  and  doctrine  be  sound ;  that  thou 
hast  a  good  heart,  and  a  good  head,  and  a  good  life,  and 
a  good  conversation,  ministerial  diligence  and  fidelity  in 
every  part  of  Christian  and  pastoral  duty.  Saved  already 
by  grace,  thou  shalt  be  preserved  from  all  the  snares  set 
for  thy  feet,  and  not  backslide  as  a  Christian  minister, 
but  feel  persevering,  sanctifying,  glorifying,  and  crown- 
ing grace ;  2.  Thou  shalt  "save  them  that  hear  thee,"  from 
lukewarmness  and  backsliding ;  legality  on  the  one  hand, 
and  making  void  the  law  through  faith  on  the  other ;  that 
they  profess  and  possess,  live  and  walk  as  it  becometh  the 


438  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1798 

gospel  of  Christ;  3.  "Continue  in  them,"  in  all  the  doc- 
trines, ordinances,  and  duties  of  the  gospel :  the  same 
gospel,  the  same  ordinances,  the  same  duties,  which  are 
designed  to  complete  the  work  in  the  souls  of  ministers 
as  Christians,  are  as  needful  to  continue  the  work  in  the 
souls  of  ministers  as  Christians,  are  as  needful  to  con- 
tinue the  work  of  grace  as  to  begin  it ;  and  not  only 
continue,   but   finish   and   bring   on   the   headstone. 

Dec.  24.  It  is  exceedingly  cold  still.  The  pain  in  my 
breast  is  returned ;  I  fear  it  is  immovably  fixed  more  or 
less  until  death.  Lord,  thy  will  be  done !  Wearisome 
days  are  appointed  for  me.  Brother  Dromgoole  came  in 
the  evening  of  Christmas  Day.  I  am  cheered  with  com- 
pany, and  with  Christ  also.  I  feel  as  if  the  coming  year 
would  be  marked  with  displays  of  divine  power  upon  the 
souls  of  men  to  whoever  may  live  to  see  it. 

The  New  Year  Opens  with  a  Conference^ 

Jan.  I,  1798.  Several  local  brethren  were  present — 
Dromgoole,  Lane,  Moore,  Smith,  and  Phillips.  The 
brethren  were  lively  in  religion. 

Jan.  2.  Now  I  am  brought  to  the  second  day  of  the 
new  year ;  the  last  hath  been  a  year  of  great  affliction.  I 
may  have  traveled  about  three  thousand  miles,  and  have 
been  confined  with  affliction  and  weakness  six  months, 
adding  the  single  days  I  have  stopped,  as  well  as  weeks. 
In  April  last  I  had  very  little  expectation  of  living  until 
this  day.  I  am  now  under  the  exercise  to  desire  life,  that 
1  may  see  the  connection  better  organized,  and  be  more 
personally  useful. 

Jan.  8.  I  wrote  a  long  letter  to  John  Dickins  upon 
the  manner  of  expediting  his  books  to  the  distant  parts — 
namely,  the  Journals,  Sermons,  Saints'  Rests,  Patterns, 
Hymn  Books ;  and  that  the  Magazine  should  be  our 
grand  circulating  medium ;  only  let  us  have  more  Amer- 
ican Lives  and  Letters. 


1798]  EBENEZER  ACADEMY  439 

Jan.  9.  The  weather  is  temperate ;  my  mind  is  much 
pained.  O,  to  be  dependent  on  slaveholders  is  in  part  to 
be  a  slave,  and  I  was  freeborn.  I  am  brought  to  conclude 
that  slavery  will  exist  in  Xirj^inia  perhaps  for  ages;  there 
is  not  a  sufficient  sense  of  religion  nor  of  liberty  to  de- 
stroy it;  Methodists,  Baptists,  Presbyterians,  in  the 
highest  flights  of  rapturous  piety,  still  maintain  and  de- 
fend it.  I  judge  in  after  ages  it  will  be  so  that  poor  men 
and  free  men  will  not  live  among  slaveholders,  but  will 
go  to  new  lands;  they  only  who  are  concerned  in,  and 
dependent  on  them  will  stay  in  old  Virginia. 

Jan.  II.  Ebenezer  Academy  is  under  poor  regula- 
tions ;  and  what  is  more  than  all,  some  gentlemen  of 
Brunswick  Cotmty  had  the  confidence  and  want  of  pro- 
priety to  wish  to  wrest  it  wholly  out  of  our  hands,  after 
we  had  collected  so  much  money  to  build  it. 

Jan.  13.  I  finished  three  feeble  letters,  to  Nelson 
Reed,  Henry  Willis,  and  John  Harper.  I  cannot  read  or 
write  long  together.  I  wind  broaches  of  cotton  for 
diversion  and  recreation ;  I  will  not  be  idle.  The  class 
met  at  my  lodgings,  and  I  ventured  to  give  a  small  ex- 
hortation and  a  prayer. 

Unable  to  Remain  Inactive 

Jan.  17.  I  am  weak  in  body,  but  some  better;  I  read, 
wrote,  and  wrought  in  winding  cotton,  as  I  could  not  be 
idle  and  wholly  inactive. 

Jan.  20.  Very  sick.  I  am  strangely  brought  down. 
Lord,  let  me  sufifer  with  patience ;  thy  will  be  done !  I 
could  not  do  anything  at  my  books ;  but  that  I  might  not 
be  wholly  idle,  I  wound  cotton  broaches  among  the 
children. 

Briggs,  in  his  Bishop  Asbury,  says  that  a  more  pathetic  yet 
sublime  and  instructive  episode  in  the  history  of  a  devoted 
human  life  is  not  to  be  found.  A  man  worn  and  utterly  pros- 
trated by  his  magnanimous  labors  for  others,  still  without  a 
single  thought  for  himself;  burdened  with  the  care  of  newly 


440  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1798 

formed  churches  scattered  over  a  thousand  miles,  and  unable 
to  serve  them  even  by  letter,  yet  using  the  little  strength  that 
remained  to  him  in  winding  cotton  and  speaking  to  children ! 

Asbury  was  exceedingly  fond  of  children.  He  loved  to  take 
them  in  his  arms.  One  day  when  he  was  approaching  a  house 
a  little  boy  saw  him  coming,  and  ran  in  to  his  mother  and  said, 
"  Mother,  I  want  my  face  washed  and  a  clean  apron  on,  for 
Bishop  Asbury  is  coming,  and  I  am  sure  he  will  hug  me  up." 

Jan.  23.  We  had  news  from  the  assembly,  that  the 
American  ambassadors  were  rejected  at  Paris.  A  report 
prevails  that  the  French  were  about  to  invade  England 
with  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  men.  The  British 
can  raise  two  hundred  thousand  militia,  and  two  hundred 
thousand  regulars ;  there  may  yet  be  most  desperate 
times,  wors'e  than  in  Julius  Caesar's  day. 

Revises  His  Journal 

Jan.  29.  I  was  employed  in  revising  my  Journal.  I 
am  like  Mr.  Whitefield,  who,  being  presented  with  one 
of  his  extempore  sermons  taken  in  shorthand,  could  not 
bear  to  see  his  own  face.  I  doubt  whether  my  Journals 
yet  remaining  will  appear  until  after  my  death.  I  could 
send  them  to  England  and  get  a  price  for  them,  but 
money  is  not  my  object. 

Feb.  6.  I  received  a  most  loving  letter  from  the 
Charleston  Conference ;  there  is  great  peace  and  good 
prospects  there.  I  hope  to  be  able  to  move  next  week.  I 
have  well  considered  my  Journal:  it  is  inelegant;  yet  it 
conveys  much  information  of  the  state  of  religion  and 
country.  It  is  well  suited  to  common  readers ;  the  wise 
need  it  not.  I  have  a  desire  that  my  Journals  should  be 
published,  at  least  after  my  death,  if  not  before.  I  make 
no  doubt  but  others  have  labored ;  but  in  England,  Scot- 
land, and  Ireland,  and  those  kingdoms  which  have  been 
civilized  and  improved  one  thousand  years,  and  which 
are  under  such  improvements,  no  ministers  could  have 
suffered   in   those   days,   and   in   those    countries,   as    in 


1798]  KENTUCKY   TO  GREENBRIER  441 

America,  the  most  ancient  parts  of  whicli  have  not  heen 
settled  two  hundred  years,  some  parts  not  forty,  others 
not  thirty,  twenty,  nor  ten,  and  some  not  five  years.  I 
have  frequently  skimmed  along  the  frontiers,  for  four 
and  five  hundred  miles,  from  Kentucky  to  Greenbrier, 
on  the  very  edge  of  the  wilderness ;  and  thence  along 
Tyger's  \'alley  to  Clarksburg,  on  the  Ohio.  These  places, 
if  not  the  haunts  of  savage  men,  yet  abound  with  wild 
beasts.  I  am  only  known  by  name  to  many  of  our  people, 
and  some  of  our  local  preachers ;  and  unless  the  people 
were  all  together  they  could  not  tell  what  I  have  had  to 
cope  with.  I  make  no  doubt  the  Methodists  are,  and  will 
be,  a  numerous  and  wealthy  people,  and  their  preachers 
who  follow  us  will  not  know  our  struggles  but  by  com- 
paring the  present  improved  state  of  the  country  with 
what  it  was  in  our  days,  as  exhibited  in  my  journal  and 
otliej  records  of  that  day. 

An  Appeal  for  Ebenezer  Academy 

Feb.  12.  I  had  appointed  to  meet  the  trustees  of 
Ebenezer  Academy,  at  Brother  Holb's,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Meherrin.  After  some  conversation  they  willingly 
agreed  to  address  the  Conference  in  behalf  of  Ebenezer 
Academy  for  an  annual  subscription,  to  make- provision 
for  a  man  at  about  fioo  a  year,  who  shall  keep  an 
English  school  under  our  rules,  with  the  worship  and  the 
Word  of  God. 

Feb.  15.  By  letters  from  the  North  T  find  that  the 
book  interest  is  upon  a  good  footing,  the  fund  interest 
well  secured,  and  great  peace  reigns  among  the 
preachers. 

Feb.  25.  I  wind  cotton,  hear  the  children  read,  and 
teach  them  a  little  grammar.  I  have,  by  the  help  of  a 
scribe,  marked  the  states  I  have  traveled  through  for 
these  twenty  years ;  but  the  movements  are  so  quick, 
traveling  night  and  day,  it  seems  that  the  notes  upon  two 


442  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1798 

or  three  hundred  miles  are  only  like  a  parish  and  a  day — 
on  paper.  The  understanding  reader  that  could  judge 
the  distance  would  see  that  I  purpose  to  have  the  names 
of  the  people  at  whose  houses  I  have  preached,  or  the 
journal  will  appear  Utopian. 

Methodist  Preachers  Ought  to  be  Useftil 

Mar.  4.  I  have  thought,  if  we  do  wrong  we  rank 
among  the  vilest  of  the  vile,  as  having  been  more 
favored  than  any  others.  Many  other  churches  go  upon 
the  paths  already  trodden  two  or  three  hundred  years. 
We  formed  our  own  church,  and  claim  the  power  of  a 
reform  every  four  years.  We  can  make  more  extensive 
observations,  because  our  preachers  in  six  or  seven  years 
can  go  through  the  whole  continent,  and  see  the  state  of 
other  churches  in  all  parts  of  this  new  world.  We  of  the 
traveling  ministers,  who  have  nothing  to  mind  but  the 
gospel  and  the  church  of  God,  may  and  ought  to  be 
very  useful. 

Mar.  II.  I  was  concerned  to  bring  in  better  order 
among  the  local  line  of  the  ministry,  by  classing  them  to- 
gether, and  then,  being  thus  classed,  by  making  them  take 
regular  stations  on  Sabbath  days.  I  also  appointed  them 
a  leader,  to  meet  once  in  three  or  six  months,  to  discourse 
about  their  souls  and  families,  and  the  congregation  and 
society  they  attend. 

Mar.  25.  I  assisted  Philip  Sands  to  draw  up  an  agree- 
ment for  our  officiary  to  sign  against  slavery ;  thus  we 
may  know  the  real  sentiments  of  our  local  preachers.  It 
appears  to  me  that  we  can  never  fully  reform  the  people 
until  we  reform  the  preachers ;  and  that  hitherto,  except 
purging  the  traveling  connection,  we  have  been  working 
at  the  wrong  end.  But  if  it  be  lawful  for  local  preachers 
to  hold  slaves,  then  it  is  lawful  for  traveling  preachers 
also ;  and  they  may  keep  plantations  and  overseers  upon 
their  quarters;  but  this  reproach  of  inconsistency  must 


1798]  LOCAL  PREACHERS  443 

be  rolled  away.  Some  of  our  local  preachers  complain 
that  they  have  not  a  seat  in  the  Annual  Conference.  We 
answer,  if  they  will  do  the  duty  of  a  member  of  the 
yearly  Conference  they  may  have  the  seat  and  privilege 
of  the  traveling  line.  The  traveling  ministry  may  com- 
plain. We  must  go  at  a  minute's  warning  to  our  circuits, 
far  and  near,  and  attend  with  the  greatest  strictness  to 
our  appointments  and  societies.  The  local  preachers  go 
where  and  when  they  please ;  can  preach  anywhere  and 
nowhere ;  they  can  keep  plantations  and  slaves,  and  have 
them  bought  or  given  by  their  parents.  The  local  preach- 
ers can  receive  fifty  or  a  hundred  dollars  per  year  for 
marriages;  but  we  travelers,  if  we  receive  a  few  dollars 
for  marriages,  must  return  them  at  the  Conference,  or 
be  called  refractory  or  disobedient.  Let  us  not  have  the 
grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  respect  of  persons 
in  ministers,  any  more  than  in  members ;  in  local  preach- 
ers, any  more  than  traveling  ones. 

Apr.  2.  I  visited  a  local  preacher,  and  gave  him  a 
plain  and  patient  talk  upon  slavery. 

Apr.  7.  I  was  once  more  privileged  to  sit  in  a  serious 
assembly,  at  Edward  Dromgoole's  Chapel.  I  also  as- 
cended the  sacred  stand  after  Brother  Whatcoat  had 
given  us  a  very  plain,  valuable,  and  useful  sermon, 
properly  heard,,  upon  Acts  14.  38-41.  I  ventured  to  give 
a  gloss  upon  Acts  2.  40. 

Conference  at  Salem 

Apr.  9.  We  began  Conference  at  Salem,  and  ended 
on  Wednesday  evening;  we  had  three  public  days.  The 
peace  and  union  of  the  Conference  was  apparently  great. 

Apr.  13.  We  came  the  road  to  Harper's  Bridge,  over 
Nottoway  River,  fifteen  miles,  to  Brother  Robinson's,  in 
Dinwiddle  County.  I  have  entered  upon  a  tour  of  two 
thousand  miles  before  I  may  probably  see  this  part  of 
the  land  again,    O,  can  I  perform  such  a  toil  ?    Weakness 


444 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1798 


of  body  maketh  me  feel  great  heaviness  of  mind.  I  must 
think,  speak,  write,  and  preach  a  little ;  or  I  may  as  well 
give  up  my  station. 

Apr.  15.  I  attempted  a  feeble  discourse  on  2  Pet. 
3.  11:  "Seeing  then  that  all  these  things  shall  be  dis- 
solved, what  manner  of  persons  ought  ye  to  be  in  all 


AN    EARLY    CONFERENCi:    IN    BALTIMORE. 

The  session  is  in  the  Conference  Room,  over  Light  Street  Parsonage. 
Reproduced  from  the  hthograph  in  Roberts's  Centenary  Pictorial  Album. 


holy  conversation  and  godliness?"  We  had  a  large  con- 
gregation ;  our  brethren,  Dyer,  White,  and  Roper,  were 
ordained  deacons.  I  appointed  my  dear  aged  and  faithful 
Brother  Whatcoat  to  visit  the  four  districts  belonging  to 
the  Virginia  Conference,  and  wrote  my  apology  as  not 
being  able  to  ride  on  horseback  as  heretofore. 

May  2   (Baltimore).     Our  Conference  began;  it  was 
half-yearly,  to  bring  on  an  equality  by  the  change  from 


1798]  PUBLIC  FAST  445 

fall  to  spring.  We  had  to  correct  many  offenses  given 
at  many  Conferences  to  one  particular  man  !  I  pleased 
myself  with  the  idea  that  I  was  out  of  the  quarrel ;  but 
no !  I  was  deeper  in  than  ever,  and  never  was  wounded 
in  so  deep  a  manner.  It  was  as  much  as  I  could  bear.  I 
cannot  stand  such  strokes. 

It  is  often  difficult  to  understand  some  of  the  allusions  which 
are  found  in  the  Journal.  Some  one  had  wounded  his  feel- 
ings, but  who,  or  how,  it  is  impossible  to  tell.  In  this  case  he 
probably  refers  to  James  O' Kelly. 

M.\Y  9.  I  attended  the  public  fast.  My  subject  was: 
"So  the  Lord  was  entreated  for  the  land."  I  observed: 
I.  That  there  were  special  times  and  seasons  in  which  it 
becomes  our  duty,  in  a  most  special  manner,  to  entreat 
the  Lord  for  the  church  and  the  land.  2.  Who  they  are 
who  ought  to  be  assembled,  every  order,  the  elders  and 
people  at  large  ;  sanctified,  that  is,  set  apart  from  labor 
and  common  service.  3.  Who  shall  intercede,  the  priests, 
the  ministers  of  the  Lord.  4.  The  special  seasons,  calami- 
ties threatened  by  God  or  man,  feared  or  felt,  such  as 
sword,  famine,  or  pestilence.  5.  How  we  should  entreat 
the  Lord,  with  fasting,  prayer,  reading,  and  preaching 
the  Word  of  God ;  confessing  our  sins  and  sorrows,  and 
acknowledging  his  mercies.  6.  The  happy  consequences 
of  God's  being  entreated,  he  heareth  and  answereth,  in 
temporal,  and  spiritual,  and  in  eternal  blessings. 

Reads  Over  His  Journal 

May  19.  We  rode  to  Perry  Hall,  and  continued  there 
until  the  twenty-sixth.  I  was  not  employed.  Brothers 
Bruce  and  Harper  attending  me,  we  read  over  my  tran- 
scribed numbers  of  the  journal.  A  situation  so  healthy 
and  agreeable  had  a  good  influence  upon  mv  body  and 
mind ;  and  the  kindness  and  company  of  the  elders  of 
this  house  were  charming  and  cheering. 

M.\Y  23.    We  rode  about  twenty  miles  to  Deer  Creek. 


446  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1798 

I  was  pleased  to  find  here  Mother  Watters,  aged  ninety ; 
her  son  Henry,  sixty ;  and  Brother  Billy  Watters  and  his 
wife  from  Virginia.  But  O,  how  many  are  dead  !  And 
some  have  fled  to  the  woods,  and  some  gone  back  to  the 
world.  The  society  is  all  gone  that  we  had  formed  here 
more  than  twenty  years  back. 

Christ  Crucified 

June  3  (Philadelphia).  I  enlarged  on  Gal.  2.  20.  It 
was  observed:  i.  That  Christ  crucified  was  the  grand 
subject ;  next,  in  continuance,  the  being  crucified  with 
Christ.  2.  "I  live ;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me,"  in 
communicated  grace  and  life,  as  ministers  and  Chris- 
tians ;  to  live  by  faith,  as  well  as  to  be  saved  by  faith. 
"Loved  me,"  is  the  feeling  experience  of  gracious  souls. 
I  received  the  probable  news  of  the  near  approach  to,  or 
death  of  my  father. 

June  9.  We  had  close  work  at  the  Conference  which 
began  four  days  ago,  but  good  tempers  abounded,  and 
just  measures  were  pursued.  I  made  an  attempt  to  ride 
to  Germantown,  but  returned ;  and  it  was  well  I  did,  for 
I  had  no  sooner  discharged  the  fragments  of  the  Con- 
ference business,  and  the  stationing  of  the  preachers, 
than  the  afifairs  of  the  society  came  in  sight  respecting 
the  city.  I  have  my  difficulties  with  the  government  of 
the  preachers ;  but  I  have  some  trouble  with  the  city 
societies.  They  wish  to  have  the  (Connection  drafted,  and 
some  of  the  most  acceptable  preachers  to  serve  them.  I 
made  all  haste  to  leave  the  city,  but  not  until  I  had  met 
the  trustees  of  the  church. 

June  16.  Came  to  New  York ;  here  I  received  the 
serious  confirmation  of  the  death  of  my  father,  aged 
eighty-four  or  eighty-five. 

June  17  (New  York).  I  preached  in  the  new  church 
on  Eccl.  I.I.  At  the  old  church,  in  John  Street,  my  text 
was   I   Pet.  4.   10:  "As  good  stewards  of  the  manifold 


1798J  ASBURY'S  FATHER  DEAD  447 

grace  of  God."  I  now  feel  myself  an  orphan  with  respect 
to  my  father.  Wounded  memory  recalls  to  mind  what 
took  place  when  I  parted  with  him,  nearly  twenty-seven 
}'ears  next  Septemher — from  a  man  that  seldom,  if  ever, 
1  saw  weep ;  but  when  I  came  to  America,  overwhelmed 
with  tears,  with  grief,  he  cried  out,  "I  shall  never  see  him 
again!"  thus  by  prophecy  or  by  Providence,  he  hath 
spoken  what  is  fulfilled.  For  about  thirty-nine  years  my 
father  hath  had  the  gospel  preached  in  his  house.  The 
particulars  of  his  death  are  not  yet  come  to  hand.  I 
employed  the  remaining  part  of  this  week  in  visiting, 
reading,  writing,  attending  preaching  and  love  feast. 
Brothers  Lee  and  Wells  were  officiating  ministers,  myself 
a  hearer. 

July  i.  At  the  old  church  I  preached  from  Phil. 
3.  18-20;  at  the  north  church,  in  the  afternoon,  on  i  Cor. 
9.  2.  I  live  wholly  upon  vegetables,  and  wear  flannel. 
Mr.  James  O'Kelly  hath  now  published  to  the  world 
what  he  hath  been  telling  to  his  disciples  for  years.  Mr. 
I  Tammett  was  moderate ;  Glendenning  not  very  severe ; 
but  James  hath  turned  the  butt  end  of  his  whip,  and  is 
unanswerably  abusive.  The  Lord  judge  between  us ! 
and  he  certainly  will  in  that  day  of  days. 

News  Concerning  His  Father's  Last  Days 

July  9.  Mr.  Phillips,  of  Birmingham,  writes  thus  of 
my  father:  "He  kept  his  room  six  weeks  previous  to  his 
death ;  the  first  month  of  the  time  he  ate  nothing  but  a 
little  biscuit,  and  the  last  fortnight  he  took  nothing  but 
a  little  spirits  and  water.     He  died  very  happy." 

July  19.  James  O'Kelly  hath  told  a  tale  of  me  which 
I  think  it  my  duty  to  tell  better.  He  writes,  "Francis 
ordered  the  preachers  to  entitle  him  bishop,  in  directing 
their  letters."  The  secret  and  truth  of  the  matter  was 
this :  the  preachers  having  had  great  difficulties  about 
the  appellation  of  the  Rev.  or  Mr.,  that  is,  to  call  a  man 


44^  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1798 

by  one  of  the  divine  appellations,  supposing  Mr.  to  be 
an  abbreviation  of  Master  ("Call  no  man  master  upon 
earth"),  it  was  talked  over  in  the  yearly  Conference,  for 
then  we  had  no  General  Conference  established.  So  we 
concluded  that  it  would  be  by  far  the  best  to  give  each 
man  his  official  title,  as  deacon,  elder,  and  bishop ;  to  this 
the  majority  agreed.  James  O'Kelly  giveth  all  the  good, 
the  bad,  and  middling  of  all  the  order  of  our  church  to 
me.  What  can  be  the  cause  of  all  this  ill  treatment  which 
I  receive  from  him?  Was  it  because  I  did  not,  I  could 
not  settle  him  for  life  in  the  South  District  of  Virginia? 
Is  this  his  gratitude?  He  was  in  this  district  for  ten 
years,  part  of  the  time  in  the  very  best  circuits  in  the 
district,  and  then  in  the  district  as  presiding  elder;  and 
there  was  no  peace  with  James,  until  Dr.  Coke  took  the 
matter  out  of  my  hands,  after  we  had  agreed  to  hold  a 
General  Conference  to  settle  the  dispute;  and  behold, 
when  the  General  Conference,  by  a  majority,  which  he- 
called  for,  went  against  him,  he  treated  the  General 
Conference  with  as  much  contempt  almost  as  he  had 
treated  me ;  only  I  am  the  grand  butt  of  all  his  spleen. 

Rocks,  Hills,  Stones 

Aug.  4.  The  day  was  excessively  warm ;  and  O ! 
rocks,  hills,  and  stones !  I  was  greatly  outdone ;  no  price 
can  pay — there  is  no  purchase  for  this  day's  hire  but 
souls.  We  frequently  spend  a  dollar  per  day  to  feed 
ourselves  and  horses :  I  never  received,  as  I  recollect, 
any  personal  beneficence,  no,  not  a  farthing,  in  New 
England ;  and  perhaps  never  shall  unless  I  should  be 
totally  out  of  cash. 

Aug.  14.  We  began  our  journey  for  the  Province  of 
Maine.  We  passed  through  Danvers,  Salem,  Beverly; 
thence  to  Hamilton,  where  we  were  kindly  entertained 
by  some  aged  people ;  dined  and  hastened  along  through 
Ipswich,  and  thence  to  Newburyport.     Here  I  passed  in 


1798]  GREAT  CONGREGATIONS  449 

sight  of  the  old  prophet,  dear  Whitefield's  tomb,  under 
the  Presbyterian  meetinghouse.  His  sermons  estabHshed 
me  in  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  more  than  anything  I 
ever  heard  or  had  read  at  that  time ;  so  that  I  was  re- 
markabl}-  prepared  to  meet  reproach  and  persecution. 

In  the  District  of  Maine 

Aug.  23.  We  rode  to  Hopkins's,  in  Winthrop,  where 
meeting  was  appointed  in  the  Congregational  house.  As 
the  day  was  damp,  and  myself  sick,  I  declined;  and 
Brother  I.ce  preached,  and  the  people  said  it  was  a  good 
time.  I  found  Father  Bishop,  at  whose  house  we  stayed ; 
his  son  and  wife  exceedingly  kind.  We  breakfasted  at 
our  Brother  Prescott's.  This  part  of  the  District  of 
Maine  is  settled  with  people  from  the  south  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  some  from  New  Hampshire. 

Aug.  25.  We  had  to  beat  through  the  woods  between 
^Winthrop  and  Redfield,  which  are  as  bad  as  the  Alle- 
ghany Mountains,  and  the  Shades  of  Death.  We  have 
now  laid  by  our  carriage  and  saddle,  to  wait  until 
Wednesday  next  for  Conference ;  the  first  of  the  kind 
ever  held  in  these  parts,  and  it  will  probably  draw  the 
people  from  far  and  near. 

Aug.  29.  Ten  of  us  sat  in  Conference.  Great  was  our 
union  and  freedom  of  speech  with  each  other. 

Aug.  30.  This  was  our  great  day ;  it  was  computed 
that  from  one  thousand  to  eighteen  hundred  souls  at- 
tended public  preaching  and  ordination.  The  unfinished 
temporary  state  of  the  gallery  was  such  that  the  plank 
and  other  parts  would  crack  and  break.  We  had  one 
alarm  while  ordaining,  owing  to  the  people's  wish  to 
gratify  their  curiosity ;  but  no  person  was  killed  or 
wounded.  My  subject  was  2  Cor.  4.  i,  2.  It  was  ob- 
served: I,  "This  ministry."  by  way  of  eminence  dis- 
tinguished from  the  law — the  ministry  of  the  Spirit  and 
power,  and  thS  word  and  letter  of  the  gospel ;  2,  The 


450  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1798 

apostolic  manner  of  using  the  ministry — renouncing  the 
hidden  things  of  dishonesty,  not  walking  in  craftiness,  or 
handling  the  Word  of  God  deceitfully ;  not  seeking  either 
worldly  honor,  ease,  or  profit ;  but  by  manifestation  of 
the  truth  commending  ourselves  to  every  man's  con- 
science in  the  sight  of  God — to  sinners  of  all  characters, 
to  seekers,  believers,  men  of  tender  and  scrupulous  con- 
science ;  3,  The  temptations,  labors,  and  sufferings  the 
faithful  ministers  have  to  meet  with  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duties ;  4,  The  support  they  shall  have  by  the  mercy 
and  power  of  God,  and  fruit  of  their  labors ;  5,  We  faint 
not.  A  person  that  fainteth  loseth  all  action,  is  pale  and 
dispirited ;  it  is  a  near  resemblance  of  death,  and  some- 
times terminates  in  death.  Unhappy  the  man  who  is 
dead  and  useless  in  the  ministry ! 

Asbury  now  set  out  for  New  York,  passing  hurriedly  through 
New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  and  Connecticut.  He  held  a 
Conference  at  Granville,  Massachusetts,  which  was  the  largest 
assemblage  of  Methodist  preachers  which  had  ever  been  con- 
vened in  New  England,  about  fifty  being  present.  Ten  new 
preachers  were  received  at  this  Conference,  among  them  those 
two  remarkable  men,  so  generally  known  alike  for  their  great 
labors  and  their  great  eccentricities,  Billy  Hibbard  and  Lorenzo 
Dow.  Asbury  reached  New  York  September  28,  but  did  not 
stop,  leaving  for  the  South  the  same  day. 

Asbory  Injured 

Oct.  3.  This  morning  the  certainty  of  the  death  of 
John  Dickins  was  made  known  to  me.  He  was  in  person 
and  affection  another  Thomas  White  to  me  for  years 
past ;  I  feared  death  would  divide  us  soon.  I  cannot 
write  his  biography  here.  We  came  to  Germantown; 
and  Thursday,  twenty-five  miles  to  Daniel  Meredith's, 
where  we  tarried  for  a  night.  Next  day  we  reached 
Thomson's  Mill,  upon  Great  Elk.  Within  a  mile  of  this 
place,  while  going  over  a  desperate  piece  of  road,  my 
carriage  turned  bottom  upward ;  I  was  under,  and  thrown 
down  a  descent  of  five  or  six  feet.     I  thought  at  first  I 


1798]  A  NEVER-FAILING  FRIEND  451 

was  unhurt,  but  upon  examination  I  found  my  ankle  was 
skinned  and  a  rib  bone  bruised. 

Oct.  7.  I  preached  in  the  Northeast  church  on  Heb. 
12.  15-17.  The  substance  of  my  sermon  was:  i.  A 
caution  against  faihng  to  obtain  the  repenting,  convert- 
ing, persevering,  sanctifying  grace  of  God;  2.  How  some 
bad  principles,  persons,  and  practices  were  like  worm- 
wood, gall,  and  poison  to  society ;  3.  How  small  the  gain, 
and  how  great  the  loss  of  peace ;  4.  That  some  might 
apostatize  beyond  the  possibility  of  being  restored,  and 
weep  hopeless  and  unavailing  tears.  I  enforced  the 
caution ;  looking  diligently  to  avoid  the  greatest  evil  and 
danger  on  the  one  hand,  and  to  secure  the  greatest  good, 
grace,  and  glory  on  the  other. 

Characteristics  of  John  Dicfcins 

Oct.  9.  We  came  to  Baltimore ;  here  they  have  little 
to  boast  of  but  health  and  trade.  The  outward  building 
of  a  society  house  is  going  on.  I  had  John  Dickins's 
son  with  me ;  we  sketched  out  a  few  traits  of  his  father's 
life.  For  piety,  probity,  profitable  preaching,  holy  living, 
Christian  education  of  his  children,  secret,  closet  prayer, 
I  doubt  whether  his  superior  is  to  be  found  either  in 
Europe  or  America. 

Oct.  25.  In  company  with  my  never- failing  friend — 
as  far  as  man  can  be  so — Richard  Whatcoat,  I  came  to 
Roper's.    My  horse  was  taken  sick,  which  detained  me. 

Nov.  5.  This  was  a  great  day ;  many  preachers,  trav- 
eling and  local,  were  present.  My  subject  was  Eph.  4. 
II,  12.  We  had  a  melting  time.  Brother  Dromgoole 
and  myself  wept.    His  wife  and  others  praised  the  Lord. 

Nov.  15.  We  rode  from  the  upper  branches  of  Rocky 
River,  twenty  miles,  to  Pleasant  Garden.  When  I  came 
to  the  meetinghouse  I  had  little  strength  of  mind  or  body. 
We  lodged  at  Daniel  Sherwood's.  My  aged  brethren 
and  sisters  from  Maryland  and  Delaware  rejoiced  to  see 


452  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1799 

me,  a  poor,   feeble   man.      They   had   seen   me  in  better 
times. 

Dec.  I.  We  have  ridden  since  Brother  Jackson  hath 
had  the  command  of  us  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles,  from  Montgomery,  in  North  Carolina,  to  Camden, 
in  South  Carolina.  If  I  attempt  my  appointments  that 
Brother  Lee  has  gone  upon,  I  nuist  ride  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  next  week  to  Washington,  in  Georgia.  I 
have  made  little  or  no  observation  on  the  way,  I  have 
been  so  ailing.  The  people  are  remarkably  kind  in  this 
country.  I  preached  in  Camden  on  i  Kings  8.  35,  36. 
Here  we  have  a  beautiful  meetinghouse. 

A  Cooling  Breeze  from  the  North 

Dec.  17.  Came  to  Charleston.  Fasting  and  riding 
through  the  heavy  sands,  cause  me  to  feel  ill.  I  received 
a  cooling  breeze  in  a  letter  from  the  North.  For  the  first 
time  I  opened  my  mouth  upon  Psa.  66.  13,  14.  We  have 
peace  and  good  prospects  in  Charleston ;  very  large  con- 
gregations attend  the  ministration  of  the  Word. 

Christmas  Day.  I  preached  from  Luke  2.  14,  and  at 
the  new  church  on  Hag.  2.  7. 

Jan.  I,  1799.  Our  yearly  Conference  assembled  at 
Charleston.  We  kept  our  seats  for  four  days ;  thirty 
preachers  present.  We  had  great  harmony  and  good 
humor.  I  gave  a  short  discourse,  addressed  to  the  Con- 
ference from  Heb.  13.  17:  i.  Your  guides — consequently 
governors.  These  how  needful  in  the  night,  if  there  be 
ignorance  in  the  traveler,  and  danger  in  the  way,  deep 
pits,  wild  beasts,  or  bad  men.  If  it  be  in  the  morning, 
or  noonday,  how  natural  it  is  to  follow  a  guide ;  how 
necessity  and  fear,  upon  the  part  of  the  traveler,  will 
make  him  obedient ;  2.  People  are  to  be  led  into  essential 
truth,  duty,  and  experience ;  3.  Ministers  are  to  watch 
for  their  souls  as  they  must  give  an  account — the  gen- 
eral and  special  accountability  to  God,  Christ,  and  the 


1799]  CHARLESTON  GENEROSITY  453 

Holy  Spirit,  to  the  ministry,  and  to  the  Chnrcli.  and  to 
all  men ;  they  must  give  an  account  for  the  loss  of  the 
Christian  traveler,  if  that  loss  be  a  consequence  of  neg- 
lect in  the  guide.  The  joy  faithful  ministers  have  in 
the  pros])erity,  spirituality,  and  hapj^iness  of  the  church  ; 
their  grief  or  groaning  when,  so  far  from  gaining  other 
souls,  they  lose  some  already  partially  gained ;  how  much 
the  interest  of  souls  is  concerned  in  the  prosperity  of  the 
ministry.  Pray  for  us :  the  great  duty  of  the  flock. 
The  argument :  We  have  a  good  conscience ;  that  this 
being  the  case,  their  prayers  might  be  answered.  Live 
honestly,  do  our  duty  faithfully,  and  take  what  is  allowed 
us  as  wages,  paying  our  just  debts  to  souls.  I  ordained 
three  elders  and  seven  deacons.  The  generosity  of  the 
people  in  Charleston  was  great.  After  keeping  our  min- 
istry and  their  horses,  they  gave  us  nearly  one  hundred 
dollars  for  the  benefit  of  those  preachers  who  are  in 
want.     Alay  they  receive  a  hundredfold. 

Fkd.  3.  I  preached  on  Gal.  5.  24-26:  i.  They  that  are 
Christ's  in  a  special  spiritual  sense :  his  sheep,  redeemed, 
sought,    and    saved ;    his    children,    bearing    his    image ; 

2.  How  they  are  to  be  distinguished :  they  crucify  the 
flesh  with  the  passions  and  desires  thereof ;  the  sinful 
love  of  the  world,   with   the   sinful   fear  and  joy  also ; 

3.  Let  us  walk  in  the  Spirit,  as  an  evidence  that  we  live 
in  the  Spirit ;  4.  Let  us  not  be  "desirous  of  vainglory" ; 
in  forms,  ordinances,  or  any  outward  appearances  of 
men  and  things ;  5.  Let  us  not  by  such  mean  measures 
"provoke  one  another,"  or  envy  one  another.  In  the 
afternoon  I  preached  on  Isa.  66.  5. 

A  Visit  to  the  Sea 

Feb.  10.  I  paid  a  visit  to  the  sea,  and  saw  the  break- 
ers— awfully  tremendous  sight  and  sound!  but  how  curi- 
ous to  see  the  sea  gull  take  the  clams  out  of  the  sand 
and  bear  them  up  into  the  air,  and  drop  them  down  to 


454  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1799 

break  them,  and  then  eat  the  flesh !  This  I  saw  demon- 
strated ;  and  if  they  fail  once  in  breaking  the  shell,  they 
will  take  it  up  again,  and  bear  it  higher,  and  cast  it  down 
upon  a  hard  spot  of  ground,  until  they  effect  their  pur- 
pose. We  are  now  in  Bladen  Circuit,  Brunswick  County, 
North  Carolina.  I  have  traveled  nearly  four  hundred 
miles  in  the  Southern  states  in  about  three  months. 

Feb.  10.  We  attended  at  Shallotte  Church  ;  my  subject 
was  Acts  14.  22.  I  showed  that  the  souls  of  the  disciples 
must  be  confirmed  in  doctrine,  experience,  and  practice, 
and  discipline  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  in  the  church  of 
God.  It  was  observed  how  plainly  these  were  taught 
in  the  oracles  of  God.  I  offered  some  arguments  in  favor 
of  revelation,  to  induce  a  continuance  in  the  substance 
and  exercise  of  faith  through  life :  through  much  tribu- 
lation entering  the  eternal  kingdom  of  glory;  an  object 
so  great  is  not  to  be  gained  without  great  trials  from 
every  enemy,  in  doing  and  suffering  the  will  of  God. 

Fed.  17.  Cold  as  the  day  was,  and  sick  as  I  felt 
myself,  I  could  not  be  absent  from  the  house  of  God ; 
my  subject  was  Acts  3.  19.  The  slaves  were  not  per- 
mitted to  come  into  the  house. 

A  Circ«ito«s  Rotite 

Mar.  4.  We  had  to  ride  a  circuitous  route  through 
Halifax,  which  made  it  about  thirty  miles  to  Richard 
Whittaker's  in  Northampton.  We  had  a  bad  swamp  to 
cross,  but  I  kept  out  of  the  water.  It  was  well  for  me 
my  carriage  did  not  upset  in  the  water,  which  it  was 
very  near  doing.  To  travel  thirty  miles  in  such  a  cold 
day  without  fire,  and  no  food,  except  a  bit  of  biscuit, 
is  serious.  We  were  received  gladly  by  our  waiting  breth- 
ren, Whatcoat,  Wanner,  and  Lambeth.  I  am  of  opinion 
that  we  have  left  five  hundred  miles  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Roanoke,  in  all  the  ground  we  have  ridden  over 
from  Charleston,  in  South,  to  Halifax,  in  North  Caro- 


1799]  A  PIOUS  WIFE  AND  MOTHER  455 

liiia.      I    went   to   Rchoboth,   a   new   meetinghouse,   and 
preached  on  2  Cor.  2.  14. 

A  Rapid  Journey 

Mar,  14.  We  have  ridden,  since  we  came  across 
Roanoke,  one  hundred  and  forty-three  miles  to  John 
Russell's.  We  have  moved  rapidly  through  Gates, 
Chowan,  Perquimans,  and  Pasquotank  Counties.  As 
we  pass  we  have  lovely  levels,  fine  white  cedar  on  the 
rivers,  creeks,  and  swamps,  for  between  six  or  seven 
hundred  miles.  From  the  lowlands  in  Georgia,  to  Black- 
water,  in  X'irginia,  it  is  fine  lumber  land,  but  unhealthy 
in  some  places. 

Mar.  17.  I  made  a  feeble  effort  to  preach  at  Wil- 
liams's Chapel,  on  James  i.  24,  25.  Our  congregation 
large.  I  returned  and  left  Brother  Lee  to  finish.  We 
lodged  at  Brother  Brunnell's.  On  Monday  we  had  a 
violent  storm  of  wind  and  snow,  which  lasted  until  ten 
o'clock,  and  we  had  a  bitter  ride  of  nineteen  or  twenty 
miles  to  James  Wilson's,  at  Hickory  Ground,  in  Vir- 
ginia. I  was  exceedingly  chilled  on  the  way,  the  snow 
being  from  six  to  seven  inches  deep,  and  it  blew  a  heavy 
cold  wind. 

Mar.  19  (Virginia).  I  preached  at  Brother  Wilson's, 
from  I  Cor.  15.  58.  I  sent  my  carriage  for  James  Mor- 
ris, formerly  with  us,  afterward  an  Episcopal  minister, 
and  now  near  death.  He  expressed  great  consolation  in 
God,  and  love  to  me.  He  hath  a  pious  wife,  who  is  the 
mother  of  nine  children.  We  lodged  with  John  Hodge, 
who  joined  the  Methodists  in  early  life.  I  was  pleased 
to  find  that  the  elderly  Methodists  had  put  their  children 
to  trades  to  learn  to  work  for  themselves.  I  am  in  hopes 
the  parents  will  not  leave  them  their  slaves,  but  manumit 
them,  by  will  at  least. 

Apr.  16.  We  came  to  Philip  Davis's,  twenty  miles, 
near  Putnew  New  Kent.     The  brethren  in  A'irginia,  in 


456  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1799 

Conference,  gave  it  me  in  charge  not  to  preach  until  the 
Baltimore  Conference.  I  was  willing  to  obey,  feeling 
myself  utterly  unable.  The  houses  that  we  preach  and 
lodge  in,  in  this  severe  weather,  are  very  open.  My  breast 
is  inflamed,  and  I  have  a  discharge  of  blood. 

May  I  (Baltimore).  We  opened  our  Conference, 
which  sat  four  days.  We  had  preaching  morning  and 
evening.    I  gave  a  short  exhortation  before  the  sacrament. 

May  6.  We  rode  out  to  Greenwood,  Mr.  Rogers's 
country  seat,  who  told  me  that  when  I  was  past  labor, 
there  was  his  house  as  my  own. 

Receives  a  Legacy 

May  22.  I  borrowed  a  horse  of  Samuel  Smith,  and 
crossed  Pocomoke,  and  rode  to  Littleton  Long's,  where 
I  gave  an  exhortation  to  a  few  people.  It  was  a  very 
extraordinary  legacy  of  a  living  friend  that  put  $45 
into  my  hands.  Had  I  not  bought  a  coat  I  might  have 
had  $50  in  my  pocket.  It  would  have  been  a  wonder  for 
me  to  have  as  much  money  by  me;  but  $100  or  more 
might  be  needful  to  purchase  another  horse. 

May  23.  We  rode  to  Downing's,  where  I  gave  a 
short  exhortation,  and  on  Friday,  the  twenty-fourth,  we 
came  to  John  Purnall's ;  he  is  gone  to  his  long  home. 
Here  I  gave  up  my  borrowed  horse,  and  the  only  alter- 
native was  to  put  Brother  Hardesty's  horse  in  the  sulky, 
and  wedge  ourselves  with  all  our  baggage  together.  We 
rode  by  Frederick  Conner's,  and  made  it  nearly  thirty 
miles,  through  excessive  heat,  to  the  widow  Bowen's. 

May  26.  This  day  we  enter  the  state  of  Delaware.  I 
have  had  great  dejection  of  mind,  and  awful  calcula- 
tions of  what  may  be  and  what  may  never  be.  I  have 
now  groaned  along  three  hundred  miles  from  Baltimore. 
A  wearisome  journey ! 

June  2.  Dr.  Anderson,  Dr.  Ridgely,  and  Dr.  Nead- 
ham  considered  my  case ;  they  advised  a  total  suspension 


1799]  BOOK  CONCERN  AGENT  457 

from  preaching,   fearing  a  consumption  or  a  dropsy  in 
the  l)reast. 

June  6.  Wc  held  our  Conference  in  Philadelj^hia.  I 
retired  each  night  to  tJic  Eaglczvorks,  upon  Schuylkill,  at 
Henrv    P^ixall's   soHtary,   social    retreat. 

Henry  Foxall  was  an  oldtime  friend.  They  had  been  boy- 
hood companions  at  Handsworth,  England. 

The  Conference  was  large,  and  the  business  very  im- 
portant. Ezekiel  Cooper  was  confirmed  in  his  appoint- 
ment by  me  as  our  agent  in  the  Book  Concern. 

June  19.  We  opened  our  Conference  for  New  York, 
and  all  the  New  England  states.  The  Conference  was 
crowded  with  work ;  consequently  I  had  but  little  rest. 

There  was  no  Conference  in  New  England  this  year.  The 
appointments  for  the  Eastern  States  were  made  at  the  Confer- 
ence in  New  York.  EHjah  Hedding,  although  his  name  does 
not  appear  in  the  Minutes  until  a  later  date,  commenced  trav- 
eling this  year  under  the  direction  of  the  presiding  elder. 

June  27).  We  had  a  charitable  day  at  all  the  houses, 
and  collected  nearly  $300 ;  but  the  deficiencies  of  the 
preachers  were  almost  $1,000.  I  attempted  to  preach  a 
little  on  Phil.  4.  19,  and  gave  an  exhortation  at  the  Bow- 
ery church.    I  met  the  society  at  the  old  church  at  night. 

At  Governor  Van  Cortlandt's 

June  26.  We  rode  about  thirty  miles,  and  came  in 
about  ten  o'clock  at  night  to  Governor  Van  Cortlandt's, 
whose  wife  is  a  Shunammite  indeed. 

July  i.  I  must  confess  I  never  felt  so  great  a  resolu- 
tion to  resign  the  general  superintendency  as  I  do  now ; 
and  if  matters  do  not  work  more  to  my  mind,  it  is  highly 
probable  I  shall.  My  prayers  and  counsel  will  be  turned 
this  way  until  next  General  Conference. 

July  3.  Breakfasted  with  Mrs.  Montgomery  at  her 
beautiful  retreat.  Dined  at  Mrs.  Livingston's,  on  the 
manor ;  an  aged,  respectable  mother  of  many  children. 


458  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1799 

The  house,  the  garden,  the  river  view,  all  might  afford 
much  painting  for  the  pen  of  a  Hervey.  Brother  Gar- 
rettson  and  his  agreeable  wife  attended  us. 

July  25.  We  had  a  most  dreadful  time  over  the  moun- 
tains to  the  Forest  chapel ;  here  we  found  the  people 
much  engaged  in  religion ;  this  was  a  balm  for  every 
sore. 

July  26.  We  rode  twenty  miles  to  New  Holland,  and 
had  a  sample  of  bad  roads  for  a  sulky.  Here  some  souls 
have  been  brought  to  Christ.  I  was  exceedingly  spent 
for  want  of  sleep  and  rest.  After  five  o'clock  we  rode 
with  Elder  Ware  toward  Strasburg;  night  came  on  and 
left  me  two  miles  from  the  place  in  the  woods,  in  dark- 
ling shades,  a  new  cut  road,  and  stumpy  path.  We  came 
in  about  nine  o'clock,  having  ridden  twelve  miles.  Thank 
the  Lord  for  whole  bones ! 

Preaches  in  an  Orchard 

July  28.  There  was  preaching  in  Thomas  Ware's 
orchard,  in  Strasburg;  we  had  the  respectables  of  the 
town,  and  a  large  assembly.  This  place  contains,  I  judge, 
between  sixty  and  seventy  dwelling  houses. 

July  29.  I  visited  Jacob  Boehm's ;  God  hath  begun 
to  bless  the  children  of  this  family.  The  parents  have 
followed  us  nearly  the  space  of  twenty  years. 

July  30.  We  had  a  serious  earthquake  at  five  o'clock ; 
the  earth  is  growing  old ;  it  groans  and  trembles.  I 
visited  John  Miller's ;  thence  we  rode  six  miles  to  Martin 
Boehm's. 

July  31.  We  had  a  comfortable  meeting  at  Boehm's 
Church.  Here  lieth  the  dust  of  William  Jessop  and 
Michael  H.  R.  Wilson. 

Jessop  was  a  native  of  Sussex  County,  Delaware.  He  was  a 
traveling  preacher  for  the  years  1784—1795.  For  a  time  he  was 
in  Nova  Scotia.  Wilson  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  born  Octo- 
ber 27,  1770;  died  April  24,  1798.      He  preached  for  two  years. 


1799] 


MARTIN  BOEHM 


459 


I  feebly  attempted  a  distourse  upon  Heb.  6.  I2.  Mar- 
tin Boehm  is  all  upon  wings  and  springs  since  the  Lord 
hath  blessed  his  grandchildren ;  his  son  Henry  is  greatly 
led  out  in  public  exercises. 

Henry  Boehm,  in  his  Reminiscences,  says  this  was  Asbury's 
first  visit  to  his  father's  house.  His  venerable  father,  Martin 
Boehm,  who  was  expelled  from  the  "Mennonites"  for  his  too 
evangelical  opinions,  became  a  bishop  of  the  "United  Breth- 
ren," a  church  founded  by  the  labors  of  Asbury's  friend,  Otter- 
bein.  Henry  Boehm  was  converted  in  1793,  but  concealed 
the  fact  for  five  years.  He  is  to  enter  soon  upon  his  long  and 
remarkable  itinerant  career,  being  assigned  to  a  circuit  by 
Thomas  Ware  in  1800.  He  is  best  known  as  Bishop  Asbury's 
traveling  companion. 


THE    OLD    BOEHM     CHAPEL,     LANCASTER     COUNTY,     PENN- 

SYLVANL\. 

Built    1 79 1,  from   a    plan    said   to   have   been    furnished    by    Bishop 
Whatcoat. 

Aug.  6.  We  have  visited  six  districts  since  the  sitting 
of  the  Baltimore  Conference,  and  in  four  out  of  the  si.x 
there  is  a  happy  revival  of  religion — on  the  Eastern 
Shore,  in  Jersey,  Albany,  and  Pennsylvania ;  and  we  hear 
a  rumor  of  a  revival  in  the  Northern  District  of  Virginia. 


46o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1799 

Sept.  2.  At  Beaver  Creek  meetinghouse  we  had  a 
hvely  time.  I  have  traveled,  since  I  came  into  Virginia, 
through  Loudoun,  Frederick,  Shenandoah,  Culpeper, 
Madison,  Orange,  Louisa,  and  Hanover  Counties. 

Sept.  4.  We  came  to  Richmond.  Since  Friday  week 
we  have  traveled  two  hundred  miles ;  to  which  we  may 
add  the  labor  of  our  meetings,  usually  three  hours  long, 
and  sometimes  longer. 

O'Kelly  Issues  Another  Pamphlet 

James  O'Kelly  hath  sent  out  another  pamphlet,  and 
propounded  terms  of  rmion  himself,  for  the  Presby- 
terians, Baptists,  and  Methodists.  The  Presbyterians 
must  give  up  their  confession  of  faith;  the  Baptists,  if 
they  open  a  more  charitable  door,  adult  dipping;  the 
Methodists  must  give  up  the  episcopacy  and  Form  of 
Discipline,  renounce  the  articles  of  their  religion,  and  the 
doctrine  of  the  Trinity.  I  ask  in  turn,  what  will  James 
give  up?  His  Unitarian  errors?  Did  he  think  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopalians  beneath  his  notice?  I  am  now  more 
fully  satisfied  than  ever  that  his  book  is  not  worthy  of 
an  answer. 

Sept.  8.  I  left  my  retreat  at  John  Ellis's,  a  most  agree- 
able, social,  solitary  situation,  within  two  miles  of  Rich- 
mond. I  would  have  preached  wuthin  the  walls  of  our 
new  house  at  Richmond,  but  the  excessive  rain  we  have 
had  of  late  prevented. 

Sept.  10.  We  rode  twelve  miles  to  Godfrey's,  an  aged 
man  that  stood  alone  when  Mr.  O'Kelly  made  a  rent  in 
the  society.  God  hath  blessed  our  labors  here ;  several 
souls,  with  his  own  children,  are  now  brought  to  God. 

At  Charity  Chapel 

I  put  a  blister  upon  my  l)reast.  Brother  Whatcoat 
preached  at  Charity  Chapel,  where  we  administered  the 
sacrament.     T  have  stretched  alons:  throug^h  Chesterfield, 


1799]  GLASS  WINDOWS  461 

Powhatan,  Cunil)erlan(l.  IJuckinghani,  into  Prince  Ed- 
ward County ;  and  this  wiiile  enduring-  a  raw  and  run- 
ning bHster  upon  my  breast,  excessive  heat,  and  with 
very  Httle  rest  by  niglit  or  by  day.  I  would  not  hve 
alway.     Weary  world  !     When  wih  it  end  ? 

Sept.  17.  We  rode  twenty  miles  to  Movint  Pleasant. 
I  put  a  blister  in  the  morning  to  my  breast ;  but  I  must 
go  to  meeting  and  preach.  Why?  because  the  Presby- 
terian minister  and  some  of  his  flock  came  to  hear  me. 
My  subject  was  Zech.  12.  10.  Richard  Whatcoat  at- 
tended us  tlirough  the  district,  with  a  very  sore  leg;  and 
myself  had  a  sore  breast  inside  and  out. 

Rests  in  a  Hospitable  Home 

Sept.  21.  I  rested  at  my  hospitable  home,  that  hath 
been  so  these  twenty  years,  in  Colonel  Bedford's  day, 
and  now  in  John  Spencer's.  These  people  have  not 
turned  me  out  of  doors,  by  separation,  defamation,  or 
reproach  ;  they  have  made  no  such  return  for  my  love 
and  labors,  although  some  have  done  it.  I  could  not 
be  quite  idle.  I  read  over  one  number  of  my  journal, 
and  wrote  a  few  letters. 

Oct.  7.  We  rode  through  Stokes  County,  North 
Carolina,  and  attended  meeting  at  Love's  Church,  which 
has  glass  windows,  and  a  yard  fenced  in.  After  Jesse 
Lee,  I  added  a  few  words  on  Heb.  2.  i.  We  have  ridden 
nearly  twenty  miles  this  day.  Sitting  in  meeting  so  many 
hours  among  such  a  multitude  of  people,  and  frequently 
with  a  blister  on  my  breast,  with  the  difficulties  of  driving 
along  broken  paths,  cause  me  to  be  variously  tried  and 
comforted. 

Oct.  18.  We  had  a  very  uneasy  ride  of  fifteen  miles, 
on  the  borders  of  Surry  County,  over  to  Dr.  Brown's, 
in  Wilkes  County.  I  feel  my  mind  in  great  peace  and 
resignation,  both  as  it  respects  the  church  of  God  and 
mv  own  soul.     The  Presbvterians  here  are  much  more 


462  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1799 

friendly  with  the  Methodists  now  than  formerly.     I  dare 
not  say  it  is  policy ;  it  may  be  piety. 

Asbwry's  American  Birthday 

Oct.  20.  This  is  my  American  birthday.  I  have  now 
passed  twenty-eight  years  upon  this  continent.  Do  I 
wish  to  live  them  over  again  ?  By  no  means ;  I  doubt 
if  I  could  mend  the  years  that  are  passed  in  my  weak- 
ness and  old  age.  I  could  not  come  up  to  what  I  have 
done ;  I  should  be  dispirited  at  what  would  be  presented 
before  me. 

Oct.  22.  We  had  a  serious,  laborious  ride  of  thirty 
miles,  to  William  White's,  Esquire,  upon  Johns  River, 
Burke  County.  In  this  route  we  had  to  cross  the  Yadkin 
ten  times ;  Elk  and  Buffalo,  each  twice.  Twenty  miles 
of  the  path  were  good ;  ten  miles  uneven,  with  short  hills, 
stumps,  sideling  banks,  and  deep  ruts.  I  have  renewed 
my  acquaintance  with  these  rivers.  They  afford  valua- 
ble levels,  with  rising  hills  and  high  mountains  on  each 
side.  The  prospect  is  'elegantly  variegated.  Here  are 
grand  heights,  and  there  Indian  corn  adorns  the  vales. 
The  water  flows  admirably  clear,  murmuring  through 
the  rocks,  and  in  the  rich  lands,  gently  gliding  deep  and 
silent  between  its  verdant  banks ;  and  to  all  this  may  be 
added  pure  air. 

Oct.  23-24.  Our  quarterly  meeting  was  held  at  Wil- 
liam White's,  Esquire,  and  grand  patriarch  of  this  settle- 
ment, whose  family  of  children,  grandchildren,  etc.,  are 
numerous,  and  extensively  established  here.  Jesse  Lee 
sermonized  each  day.  My  discourse  the  first  day  was 
I  Tim.  4.  12-16. 

Oct.  28.  I  stayed  at  the  house,  to  read,  write,  and  plan 
a  little.  I  tremble  and  faint  under  my  burden,  having 
to  ride  about  six  thousand  miles  annually;  to  preach 
from  three  to  five  hundred  sermons  a  year ;  to  write  and 
read  so  m.anv  letters,  and  read  manv  more ;  all  this  and 


1799]  ECCLESIASTICAL  REVENUE  463 

more,  besides  the  stationing  of  three  hundred  preachers; 
reacHng-  many  hundred  pages ;  and  spenchng  many  hours 
in  conversation  by  day  and  by  night,  with  preachers  and 
people  of  various  characters,  among  whom  are  many 
distressing  cases. 

Nov.  9.  We  are  now  at  the  widow  Cramblet's,  ten 
miles  from  the  widow  Frank's.  Benjamin  Blanton  came 
up  with  us  sick  ;  his  famous  horse  died  of  the  staggers ; 
he  reported  $260 ;  and  he  had  received  from  the  connec- 
tion in  four  years  $250.  If  we  do  not  benefit  the  people 
we  have  but  little  of  their  money  ;  such  is  the  ecclesiastical 
revenue  of  all  our  order. 

Nash's  Meetinghotise 

Nov.  16.  We  rode  ten  miles  to  Nash's  meetinghouse, 
in  Pendleton  County,  where  I  glossed  upon  Col.  i.  27,  28. 
I  was  much  affected  with  the  faces  and  manners  of  this 
people.  Mr.  James  Nash  is  not,  nor  any  of  his  family, 
in  fellowship  with  us,  but  arc  our  most  kind  friends. 
We  were  used  in  the  very  best  manner,  and  this  was 
more  abundantly  acceptal)le ;  friends  in  need  are  friends 
indeed. 

Nov.  24  (Georgia).  Still  at  Park's  Chapel ;  I  preached 
upon  2  Cor.  6.  i.  I  doubt  if  there  were  ever  twice  as 
many  crowded  in  so  small  a  house ;  some  stood  upon  the 
benches,  and  others  upon  the  floor ;  public  and  private 
meeting  held  five  hours.  We  afterward  had  to  ride  ten 
or  twelve  miles  to  lodge  at  George  Christian's.  We 
traveled  through  Elbert,  but  mostly  in  Franklin  County. 
We  have  crossed  about  thirteen  branches  of  Broad  River. 
Three  of  them,  which  rise  near  the  head  branches  of 
Oconee,  are  large.  The  land  is  not  very  fertile,  except 
what  lieth  upon  the  water  courses. 

Nov.  25.  Benjamin  Blanton  could  go  no  farther,  but 
went  to  bed  with  a  high  fever.  I  desired  Jesse  Lee  to 
attend  the  appointments  over  the  Oconee.     We  had  the" 


464  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1799 

appearance  of  the  beginning  of  winter,  and  were  in  a 
cold  cabin,  but  with  kind  people. 

Nov.  26.  We  came  six  miles  to  Cornelius  McCarty's. 
Here  we  had  to  drop  anchor  again.  Brother  Blanton 
could  go  no  farther  this  day ;  and  as  there  were  three  of 
us  in  company,  and  one  who  was  well  able  to  do  the 
work,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  do  as  I  would  be  done  by,  and 
have  been  done  by,  that  is,  to  stay  and  take  care  of  the 
sick  man. 

Nov.  27.  After  Brother  Blanton  had  been  very  ill, 
and  in  bed  most  of  his  time,  I  housed  him  in  my  carriage, 
and  we  proceeded  down  the  Oconee,  twelve  miles,  to 
Burrel  Pope's,  after  a  heavy  siege  through  the  woods, 
from  one  plantation  to  another,  on  Brother  Blanton's 
stiff-jointed  horse,  that  I  would  only  ride  to  save  souls, 
or  the  health  of  a  brother.  Our  accommodations'  com- 
pensated for  all.  I  admire  the  soft  soil  of  Georgia,  and 
it  is  pleasant  to  see  the  people  plowing  on  the  last  of 
November,  as  if  it  were  the  month  of  April. 

Through  a  Heavy  Rain 

Dec.  6.  We  rode  fifteen  miles,  through  a  heavy  rain, 
to  Hill's  meetinghouse,  upon  Long  Creek,  where  six  or 
seven  preachers,  with  a  few  people,  attended.  My  sub- 
ject was  Heb.  10.  32.  Hope  Hull,  Josias  Randall,  S. 
Cowles,  and  William  Partridge  came  a  long  way  to  see 
me ;  we  had  a  family  meeting  at  Mother  Hill's.  It  is 
about  twenty  years  since  I  first  visited  this  house. 

Dec.  22.  We  came  into  Augusta  town.  I  went  in  the 
morning  to  licar  a  sermon,  and  in  the  afternoon  I  gave 
one  upon  Heb.  2.  i.  We  have  preached  several  years  in 
this  town,  but  with  little  success ;  we  want  a  house  of 
our  own  here. 

Dec.  24  (South  Carohna).  We  came  twenty-three 
miles  to  Chester's,  the  best  entertainment  we  could  find ; 
it  was  but  for  a  night. 


i8oo]  WASHINGTON  DEAD  465 

Christmas  Dav.  We  rode  twenty-three  miles  to  a 
pole  meetinghouse,  near  Trotty's ;  thence  ten  miles  to 
Jacob  Barr's ;  here  I  was  once  more  at  home. 

Jan.  I,  1800.  We  began  our  Conference  in  Charleston, 
twenty-three  members  present.  I  had  select  meetings 
with  the  preachers  each  evening,  who  gave  an  account 
of  the  dealings  of  God  with  their  own  souls,  and  of  the 
circuits  they  su|)plied  the  past  year. 

Death  of  Washington 

Jan.  4.  After  determining  by  a  large  majority  that 
our  next  meeting  together  should  be  in  Camden,  the 
Conference  rose. 

Eight  Annual  Conferences  were  held  this  year,  this  being  the 
first,  and  the  last  of  the  series  being  held  in  Lynn,  Massachu- 
setts, July  18. 

Slow  moved  the  Northern  post  on  the  eve  of  New 
Year's  Day,  and  brought  the  heart-distressing  informa- 
tion of  the  death  of  Washington,  who  departed  this  life 
December  14,  1799 — Washington,  the  calm,  intrepid 
chief,  the  disinterested  friend,  first  father,  and  temporal 
saviour  of  his  country  under  divine  protection  and  direc- 
tion. A  universal  cloud  sat  upon  the  faces  of  the  citizens 
of  Charleston.  The  pulpits  clothed  in  black,  the  bells 
muffled,  the  paraded  soldiery,  a  public  oration  decreed 
to  be  delivered  on  Friday,  the  fourteenth  of  this  month, 
a  marble  statue  to  be  placed  in  some  proper  situation — 
these  were  the  expressions  of  sorrow,  and  these  the 
marks  of  respect  paid  by  his  feeling  fellow  citizens  to 
the  memory  of  this  great  man.  I  am  disposed  to  lose 
sight  of  all  but  Washington,  matchless  man !  At  all 
times  he  acknowledged  the  providence  of  God,  and  never 
was  he  ashamed  of  his  Redeemer.  We  believe  he  died 
not  fearing  death.  In  his  will  he  ordered  the  manu- 
mission of  his  slaves,  a  true  son  of  liberty  in  all  points. 

Jan.  5.     After  the  burden  of  care  was  thrown  off,  I 


466  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1800 

again  resumed  the  pulpit,  and  in  order  the  better  to  suit 
my  subject  to  meet  the  Conference,  the  new  year,  or- 
dination of  elders  and  deacons,  and  the  general's  death, 
I  made  choice  of  Isa.  61.  2:  "To  proclaim  the  acceptable 
year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  vengeance  of  our  God ; 
to  comfort  all  that  mourn."  I  divided  thus:  i.  The 
acceptable  year  of  the  Lord ;  2.  The  day  of  vengeance  of 
our  God ;  3.  To  comfort  all  that  mourn.  The  congrega- 
tion was  large,  decent,  and  solemn ;  the  ordination  was 
attended  with  unction  from  above,  and  the  sacrament 
with  tenderness  of  heart.  At  the  new  church,  before  the 
ordination  of  deacons,  Jesse  Lee  discoursed  upon,  "The 
harvest  truly  is  great,"  etc.  After  encountering  many 
difficulties  I  was  able  to  settle  the  plan  of  stations  and  to 
take  in  two  new  circuits. 

Asbury  Stays  in  Charleston 

Jan.  6.  The  main  body  of  the  preachers  left  the  city. 
T  desired  Jesse  Lee,  as  my  assistant,  to  take  my  horse  and 
his  own  and  visit,  between  this  and  the  seventh  of 
February,  Coosawhatchie,  Savannah,  and  Saint  JVIarys,  a 
ride  of  about  four  hundred  miles,  and  to  take  John 
Garvin  to  his  station.  The  time  has  been  when  this 
journey  would  have  been  my  delight;  but  now  I  must 
lounge  in  Charleston. 

Jan.  13.  Benjamin  Blanton  left  me  to  attend  his 
charge  of  preachers'  circuits,  and  to  promote  the  sale  of 
our  books,  within  the  limits  of  the  Charleston  Confer- 
ence. I  have  kept  no  journal  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath. 
I  have  been  employed  in  reading  and  answering  letters 
to  different  and  distant  parts  of  the  continent. 

Jan.  19.  My  subject  was  i  Pet.  i.  6,  7.  I  have  been 
very  ill  since  Friday,  but  as  I  only  attempted  to  labor 
upon  Sabbath  days  I  could  not  stand  back  from  duty. 
At  intervals  Nicholas  Snethen  read  to  me  those  excellent 
sermons  of  Mr.  James  Saurin,  a  French  Protestant  min- 


i8oo]  GEORGE  DOUGHERTY  467 

istcr  at  The  Hague.     Thcv  are  long,  elaborate,  learned, 
doctrinal,  practical,  historical,  and  explanatory. 

Nicholas  Snethen  entered  the  itinerancy  in  1794.  filled 
various  prominent  appointments,  was  for  a  time  traveling 
companion  of  Bishop  Asbury,  and  in  1814  located.  He  wrote 
ably  and  warmly  in  defense  of  Asbury  and  the  church  against 
James  O'Kclly. 

I'^EB.  5.  I  began  to  relax  my  mind  from  writing  long 
letters.  I  dined  with  Jesse  Vaughan,  and  afterward 
visited  Mr.  Warnack's  family,  at  the  Orphan  House. 
There  is  no  institution  in  America  equal  to  this.  Two  or 
three  hundred  orphans  are  taught,  fed,  and  clothed,  and 
then  put  apprentices  to  good  trades. 

Feb.  7.  Jesse  Lee  and  George  Dougherty  came  to 
town.  The  former  hath  been  a  route  of  about  six  hun- 
dred miles ;  and  my  poor  gray  hath  suffered  for  it. 

Dougherty  was  one  of  the  remarkable  men  which  Methodism 
developed.  He  worked  with  great  success  in  South  Carolina 
and  Georgia;  was  a  man  of  universal  cultivation,  a  fine  Greek 
and  Hebrew  scholar,  a  fearless  and  eloquent  preacher.  To 
him  the  church  owes  the  important  law  which  for  so  long  lim- 
ited the  pastoral  term. 

Feb.  14.  We  came  to  Rembert's,  where  at  three 
o'clock  I  spoke  upon  Heb.  3.  3,  to  a  few  people.  Brother 
Snethen  also  gave  them  a  discourse. 

Hail,  Ancient  Virginia 

Mar.  13.  We  crossed  Roanoke  at  Taylor's  Ferry;  the 
river  was  very  full.  Hail,  ancient  Virginia,  once  more ! 
In  little  more  than  four  weeks  we  have  ridden  nearly  two 
hundred  miles  in  South,  and  three  hundred  in  North 
Carolina.  We  came  to  Howell  Taylor's.  N.  Snethen 
preached  Father  Young's  funeral,  on  Isa.  57.  i ;  I  could 
only  exhort.  We  rode  home  with  S.  Holmes,  fifteen 
miles,  and  it  was  well  we  did. 

Mar.  15.  Was  a  stormy  day.  One  of  my  friends  wanted 
to  borrow  or  beg  £50  of  me.     He  might  as  well  have 


468  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [iSoo 

asked  me  for  Peru.  I  showed  him  all  the  money  I  had 
in  the  world,  about  twelve  dollars,  and  gave  him  five. 
Strange,  that  neither  my  friends  nor  my  enemies  will 
believe  that  I  neither  have,  nor  seek,  bags  of  money. 
Well,  they  shall  believe  by  demonstration,  what  I  have 
been  striving  to  prove,  that  I  will  live  and  die  a  poor  man. 

Apr.  2.  At  Craney  Island  Chapel.  Here  dreadful 
havoc  hath  been  made  by  James  O'Kelly ;  a  peaceable 
society  of  nearly  fifty  souls  are  divided,  and  I  fear  in  the 
end  some  may  be  destroyed.  How  he  hath  done  this 
work  we  may  know  by  reading  his  Apology.  N.  Snetlien 
gave  a  great  discourse  on  2  Cor.  13.  5-7.  It  is  astonish- 
ing to  hear  the  falsehoods  published  against  me.  I 
lodged  at  James  Craney's. 

Apr.  5.  I  visited  the  brethren  in  Norfolk;  they  pre- 
sented me  with  a  plan  of  a  new  house,  fifty  by  seventy, 
and,  wonder  of  wonders !  it  is  to  be  built  on  the  lot 
adjoining  that  on  which  the  old  Episcopal  church 
stands.    Thus  the  Lord  orders  the  work. 

Grace,  but  No  Gold 

Apr.  8.  We  went  on  to  William  Blunt's.  Wednes- 
day, Thursday,  and  Friday  we  passed  in  close,  comfort- 
able conference.  We  had  great  accounts  of  the  work  of 
God  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  and  also  Franklin  Circuit 
in  Virginia.  We  had  grace,  but  no  gold,  and  we  wanted 
$143  of  silver  to  pay  the  just  demands  of  the  preachers 
to  their  $64  per  year. 

Apr.  15.  We  rode  back  to  York.  I  saw  the  grave 
where  was  buried  the  effigy  of  General  Washington,  at 
the  probable  place  where  Lord  Cornwallis  delivered  up 
his  sword  to  him. 

Apr.  26.  We  came  to  the  city  of  Baltimore,  where  I 
found  cause  of  joy  and  sorrow. 

Apr.  27.  I  attempted  a  discourse  on  James  5.  8,  9. 
Bishop  Coke  is  on  his  way  to  this  city. 


i8oo]  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  469 

Apr.  28.  I  visited,  and  prepared  for  the  arrans^ement 
of  the  preachers  at  the  Annual  Conference  for  another 
year.  The  great  accounts  of  the  work  of  God  in  various 
parts  are  as  cordials  to  my  soul.  I  am  persuaded  that 
upon  an  exact  measurement  I  have  traveled  eleven  hun- 
dred miles  from  the  tenth  of  February  to  the  twenty- 
seventh  of  April.  My  horse  is  poor,  and  my  carriage  is 
greatly  racked. 

May  I.  We  opened  our  Conference,  and  in  three  days 
we  concluded  our  work  in  peace. 

Whatcoat  Elected  General  Superintendent 

Apr.  5.  We  opened  our  General  Conference,  which 
held  until  Tuesday,  20.  We  had  much  talk,  but  little 
work ;  two  days  were  spent  in  considering  about  Dr. 
Coke's  return  to  Europe,  part  of  two  days  on  Richard 
Whatcoat  for  a  bishop,  and  one  day  in  raising  the  salary 
of  the  itinerant  preachers  from  $64  to  $80  per  year.  We 
had  one  hundred  and  sixteen  members  present.  It  was 
still  desired  that  I  should  continue  in  my  station.  On 
the  eighteenth  of  May,  1800,  Elder  Whatcoat  was  or- 
dained to  the  ofifice  of  a  bishop,  after  being  elected  by  a 
majority  of  four  votes  more  than  Jesse  Lee.  The  unction 
that  attended  the  Word  was  great;  more  than  one  hun- 
dred souls,  at  dififerent  times  and  places,  professed  con- 
version during  the  sitting  of  Conference.  I  was  weary, 
but  sat  very  close  in  Conference. 

Asbury  dismisses  this  important  General  Conference  with 
a  dozen  lines  or  so,  but  he  gives  an  excellent  summary  of  what 
was  done.  The  Conference  refused  with  hearty  unanimity  to 
allow  him  to  resign  as  he  desired  to  do.  Bishop  Coke  preached 
the  sermon  on  the  occasion  of  the  ordination  of  Bishop  What- 
coat from  Rev.  2.  8.  The  work  of  grace  which  took  place 
during  the  Conference  was  a  remarkable  time  of  refreshing. 

May  2^.  We  came  to  Abingdon ;  the  bricks  are  fallen 
down;  the  probability  is  we  shall  not  rebuild  with  hewn 
stones.    My  text  was  Isa.  40.  10:  "Behold,  the  Lord  God 


470  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1800 

will  come  with  strong  hand,  and  his  arm  shall  rule  for 
him :  behold,  his  reward  is  with  him,  and  his  work  before 
him."  This  text  was  given  me  by  opening  my  Bible  at 
the  sitting  of  the  General  Conference,  when  I  trembled 
a  little  for  the  ark.  The  people  have  improved  the 
chapel  here.  It  was  not  burned  with  the  college,  al- 
though it  was  within  twenty  yards.  We  lodged  at 
William  Smith's ;  it  is  above  twenty  years  since  I  lodged 
at  his  father's  house. 

June  i.  This  was  a  day  to  be  remembered.  W^e  be- 
gan our  love  feast  at  half  past  eight ;  meeting  was  con- 
tinued, except  one  hour's  intermission,  until  four  o'clock,, 
and  some  people  never  left  the  house  until  nearly  mid- 
night ;  many  souls  professed  to  find  the  Lord.  In  the 
evening  I  rode  up  to  Duck  Creek,  to  meet  the  Conference. 

Conference  at  Dock  Creek 

June  2.  We  had  sixty-six  preachers,  all  connected 
with  the  business  of  Conference.  We  sat  closely  six 
hours  each  day,  until  Friday,  6,  when  about  nine  o'clock 
the  Conference  rose.  One  hour  was  spent  in  public  each 
day,  but  the  people  would  not  leave  the  house  day  nor 
night ;  in  short,  such  a  time  hath  been  seldom  known. 
The  probability  is,  that  above  one  hundred  souls  were 
converted  to  God.  The  stationing  of  the  preachers  was 
a  subject  that  took  my  attention.  It  was  with  the  great- 
est difificulty  I  could  unbend  my  mind  from  this  one  hour, 
yea,  many  minutes,  by  day  or  night,  until  I  read  the  plan. 

June  ii.  We  rode  to  Burlington,  through  excessive 
heat  and  dust,  in  company  with  Richard  Whatcoat  and 
Jesse  Lee ;  the  latter  wished  to  preach  in  the  evening, 
and  go  on  in  the  morning.  The  Baptist  minister  had 
appointed  a  lecture,  and  invited  Brother  Lee  to  take  his 
place ;  he  accepted,  and  preached  an  appropriate  sermon 
on  Acts  10.  25. 

June  18.     We  rode  in  haste  to  New  York,  and  on 


iSool 


RICHARD  WHATCOAT 


471 


Thursday,  19,  we  opened  our  Conference;  about  forty 
preachers  present.  We  had  some  knotty  subjects  to  talk 
over,  wliich  we  did  in  great  peace,  plainness,  and  love. 


RICHARD    WHATCOAT. 

Friday  and  Saturday  wx'  were  closely  confined  to  busi- 
ness. Sabbath,  my  subject  at  the  old  church  was  Rom. 
12.  19-21.  In  iny  introduction  I  observed  that  the  text 
was  quoted  from  Lev.  19.  18,  and  Prov.  25.  21,  22,  that 
it  might  discover  to  us  what  veneration  the  New  Testa- 


472  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1800 

meiit  writers  had  for  the  Old,  and  what  was  required  in 
a  believer  under  that  dispensation.  A'engeance  is  not  in 
our  province ;  we  cannot  in  civil,  much  less  in  sacred, 
causes  be  our  own  judges  or  jurors.  If  we  must  feed 
an  enemy,  and  not  only  forgive  him  an  injury,  but  do 
him  a  favor,  surely,  then,  we  ought  to  love  a  friend, 
a  Christian,  and  more  abundantly  a  minister  of  Christ. 
This  day  we  made  a  general  collection  for  the  support 
of  the  traveling  ministry. 

The  Chartered  Fund 

June  23.  Our  Conference  concluded  its  sitting.  The 
deficiencies  amount  to  $690;  the  moneys  collected  and 
the  draft  on  the  Chartered  Fund  amounted  to  $405.  A 
motion  was  made  to  move  the  next  yearly  Conference 
more  into  the  center  of  the  work,  but  it  was  lost. 

June  24.  I  have  now  a  little  rest.  We  have  had  a 
mighty  stir  in  the  Bowery  church  for  two  nights  past, 
until  after  midnight ;  perhaps  twenty  souls  have  found 
the  Lord.  Bishop  Whatcoat  preached  the  ordination 
sermon  in  the  afternoon  at  the  Bowery  church.  I  have 
now  a  little  time  to  unbend  my  mind  from  the  stations ; 
but  still  my  work  is  not  done. 

July  4.  The  weather  is  damp  and  very  warm.  We 
came  on  to  New  Haven,  where  they  were  celebrating  the 
Fourth  of  July.  I  fear  some  of  them  have  broken  good 
order,  and  become  independent  of  strict  sobriety.  Bishop 
Whatcoat  preached  in  the  Sandemanian  meetinghouse 
purchased  by  the  Methodists. 

July  ii.  We  came  to  Preston,  and  were  kindly  enter- 
tained at  Isaac  Herrick's.  It  was  the  very  height  of  rye 
harvest,  yet  many  came  together.  I  was  greatly  led  out 
on  the  great  salvation.  I  was  refreshed  in  soul  and  body, 
and  rode  on  in  the  evening  to  Nathan  Herrick's.  The 
simplicity  and  frugality  of  New  England  is  desirable — 
you  see  the  woman  a  mother,  mistress,  maid,  and  wife. 


i8oo]  A  NEW  ENGLAND  WOMAN  473 

and  in  all  these  characters  a  conversable  woman;  she 
sccth  to  her  own  house,  parlor,  kitchen,  and  dairy ;  here 
are  no  noisy  negroes  running  and  lounging.  If  you  wish 
breakfast  at  six  or  seven  o'clock  there  is  no  setting  the 
table  an  hour  before  the  provision  can  be  produced. 

New  Statehouse  in  Boston 

July  15.  \Ve  came  to  Boston.  It  was  a  damp  day, 
with  an  easterly  wind,  unfriendly  to  my  breast.  As  they 
w^ere  about  finishing  our  church  we  could  not  preach 
in  it.  The  new  statehouse  here  is,  perhaps,  one  of  the 
most  simply  elegant  in  the  United  States.  We  made  our 
home  at  Edward  Haines's,  late  from  England,  where  we 
had  most  agreeable  accommodations  after  our  toil. 

July  18.  W^e  sat  in  Conference  at  Lynn,  Massachu- 
setts.    There  were  twenty-one  members  present. 

July  19.  The  Conference  rose,  after  voting  the 
session  of  the  next  yearly  Conference  to  be  held  at  Lynn. 
And  now  the  toil  of  six  Conferences  in  seven  months, 
and  the  riding  of  thirteen  hundred  miles,  is  over.  I 
found  some  difficulty  in  stationing  the  married  preachers. 

In  Connecticut 

July  27  (Connecticut).  I  preached  at  the  new 
house  in  Thompson  ;  my  subject  was  Mark  8.  34. 

I  observed :  i .  The  harmony  of  the  evangelists  Mat- 
thew and  Luke  with  Mark ;  2.  That  our  Lord  had  given 
the  clusters  of  the  grapes  of  the  promised  land  in  bless- 
ings and  promises ;  3.  He  had  given  such  demonstrations 
of  his  power  upon  the  bodies  of  men :  the  dead  were 
raised,  the  hungry  fed,  the  lepers  cleansed,  the  lame  and 
the  blind  were  restored,  the  wind  and  the  sea  were  at  his 
command  ;  4.  He  opened  the  distinguishing  conditions  of 
discipleship ;  the  denial  of  self  in  every  temper  and  affec- 
tion that  is  evil.  They  that  seek  to  save  their  lives  by 
denying  Christ  shall  lose  soul  and  body ;  if  it  is  through 


474  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [iSoo 

pride   and   shame,   Christ   will   not  dishonor  himself  by 
owning  such  in  the  day  of  judgment. 

Funeral  of  Mother  Livingston 

Aug.  I.  Freeborn  Garrettson  came  up  with  us.  He 
attended  the  funeral  of  the  venerable  Mother  Livingston, 
who  was  suddenly  and  safely  called  home,  aged  seventy- 
eight,  removed  by  a  paralytic  stroke,  and  probably  it  was 
apoplectic  also.  Perhaps  it  was  about  thirty-four  years 
ago  that  this  godly  woman  was  awakened  under  the  first 
"sermon  the  Rev.  Dr.  Archibald  Laidlie  preached  in  the 
Reformed  Low  Dutch  church  in  New  York,  as  she  told 
me ;  nor  she  alone,  but  six  or  eight  other  respectable 
women. 

Dr.  Laidlie  was  born  in  Kelso,  Scotland,  December  4,  1727. 
He  was  the  first  English  preacher  among  the  Reformed  min- 
isters. His  ministry  in  New  York  extended  from  1763-17 79. 
His  influence  was  not  confined  to  his  denomination. 

Madame  Livingston  was  one  that  gave  invitation  to 
the  Methodist  preachers  to  come  to  Rhinebeck,  and  re- 
ceived them  into  her  house;  and  would  have  given  them 
more  countenance  had  she  been  under  no  other  influence 
than  of  the  Spirit  of  God  and  her  own  feelings.  I  visited 
her  one  year  before  her  death,  and  spent  a  night  at  her 
mansion ;  she  was  sensible,  conversable,  and  hospitable. 

Aug.  4.  We  came  on  and  stopped  at  Goshen  (New 
York)  at  Captain  Wright's.  The  people  flocked  together 
at  a  short  warning,  and  I  gave  a  discourse  on  Isa.  35.  3-6, 
after  which  we  dined,  and  came  on  across  the  hills  and 
over  dreadful  rocky  roads  to  Cornwall,  where  Brother 
Whatcoat  preached  in  the  meetinghouse,  on,  "We  know 
that  we  are  of  God,  and  the  whole  world  lieth  in 
wickedness." 

Aug.  5.  We  had  another  tolerable  siege  over  the 
Housatonic  River  and  hills  to  Sharon.  Here  Brother 
Whatcoat  preached  on,  "The  Lord  knoweth  how  to  de- 


i8oo]  A  CURIOUS  WRITER  475 

liver  the  godly  cnit  of  temptations,  and   to   reserve  the 
unjust  unto  the  day  of  judgment  to  be  punished." 

Aug.  7.  We  came  on  to  P>eeborn  Garrettson's  new 
design,  upon  the  Rhinebeck  Flats.  He  hath  a  beautiful 
land  and  water  prospect,  and  a  good,  simply  elegant, 
useful  house  for  God,  his  people,  and  the  family.  We 
have  ridden  between  eighty  and  ninety  miles  since  last 
Sabbath ;  not  less  than  five  hundred  and  fifty  since  we 
departed  from  New  York ;  and  one  third  of  the  roads 
were  rocky  and  very  uneven.  I  read  a  book  of  about 
t'lve  hundred  pages,  the  author  of  which  is  a  curious 
writer. 

Pleasant  Banks  of  the  Hudson 

Aug.  8-9.  We  regaled  ourselves  and  horses  upon  the 
pleasant  banks  of  the  Hudson ;  where  the  passing  and  re- 
passing of  boats  and  small  craft,  perhaps  fifty  in  a  day, 
is  a  pleasant  sight. 

Aug.  10.  We  had  a  sermon,  and  administered  the 
sacrament  at  Brother  Garrettson's ;  and  notwithstanding 
public  worship  was  held  at  the  Dutch  church  at  the  same 
hour,  we  had  a  large  congregation.  Bishop  Whatcoat 
and  myself  filled  up  the  service  of  the  day. 

Aug.  12.  We  came  through  Poughkeepsie — no  place 
for  Methodism.  We  stopped  at  Elijah  Morgan's; 
Brother  Thatcher  was  preaching  when  we  came  in.  We 
have  ridden  twenty-five  miles  this  day,  and  dined  in  the 
road  upon  a  watermelon  that  Mrs.  Tillotson  was  kind 
enough  to  give  us  as  we  came  by  her  house.  I  was  so 
sick  that  I  had  but  little  appetite  for  anything  else. 

Aug.  16.  We  pushed  on  with  great  courage,  toward 
New  York ;  but  when  within  six  miles  of  the  city  my 
horse  blundered  twice,  and  then  came  down  with  great 
force  and  broke  the  shaft.  I  got  out,  and  my  horse  re- 
covered from  his  fall.  A  smith's  shop  being  at  hand, 
the  shaft  was  mended  in  an  hour;  and  we  came  into  New 


476  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [iSoo 

York  and  found  our  service  was  wanting  in  the  city, 
there  being  here  only  two  preachers,  and  one  of  them 
disabled. 

Aug.  26.  We  came  into  Maryland.  Sometimes  we 
had  no  roads,  and  at  other  times  old  ones  that  the 
wagons  had  left.  Thus  we  bolted  and  blundered  along 
the  rocky  rivulets  until  we  came  within  sight  of  James 
Fisher's.  The  meeting  had  been  appointed  at  the  widow 
Jolly's ;  the  house  was  large,  and  we  had  no  small  con- 
gregation; they  came,  some  to  see  and  some  to  hear.  I 
had  walked  where  I  feared  to  ride,  and  it  was  exceedingly 
warm ;  but  I  took  courage  when  I  saw  the  people.  The 
portion  which  I  gave  them  was  i  John  2.  24,  25.  We  had 
hardly  time  to  eat  and  breathe  before  we  had  to  beat  a 
march  over  the  rocks,  eight  miles  to  Henry  Watters's, 
upon  Deer  Creek.  Brother  Whatcoat  went  ahead  and 
preached,  and  I  came  on  time  enough  to  exhort  a  little. 

Aug.  2^.  This  evening  we  came  with  equal  difficulties 
to  Perry  Hall,  but  the  greatest  trouble  of  all  was  that 
the  elders  of  the  house  were  not  at  home.  The  walls, 
the  rooms  no  longer  vocal,  all  to  me  appeared  hung  in 
sackcloth.  I  see  not  the  pleasant  countenances  nor  hear 
the  cheerful  voices  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gough !  She  is  in 
ill  health,  and  writes,  "I  have  left  home,  perhaps  never 
to  return."  This  intelligence  made  me  melancholy.  Mrs. 
Gough  hath  been  my  faithful  daughter;  she  never  of- 
fended me  at  any  time. 

Wilson  Lee  on  the  Wing 

Aug.  30.  Wilson  Lee  is  all  upon  the  wing  in  the  work. 
Glory !  glory !  glory !  I  will  not  speak  of  numbers  or 
particular  cases  without  more  accurate  information, 
which  in  my  haste  I  cannot  now  obtain ;  but  without 
doubt,  some  hundreds  in  three  months  have  been  under 
awakenings  and  conversions,  upon  the  Western  Shore, 
District  of  Maryland. 


iSoo]  MANY  KINDS  OF  SPRINGS  477 

Aug.  31.  Perhaps  six  hundred  souls,  in  this  district 
and  in  Baltimore,  have  been  converted  since  the  General 
Conference.  Hartford,  Baltimore,  Calvert,  Federal, 
Montgomery,  and  P'rederick  feel  the  flame. 

Sept.  9.  We  rode  to  Rivanna,  in  Fluvanna  County:  I 
have  seen  the  hot,  warm,  sweet,  yellow,  red,  and  now 
have  passed  the  green  springs.  When  we  came  within 
six  miles  of  Magruder's,  Brother  Whatcoat  being  in  the 
carriage,  the  hindmost  brace  gave  way.  I  took  hold  of  a 
sapling  by  the  roadside,  and  put  it  under  the  body  of  the 
carriage,  and  Brother  Magruder  mounted  the  horse,  and 
we  soon  came  to  his  house ;  that  evening  the  breach  was 
repaired.  I  took  William  McKendree's  horse,  and  went 
on  fourteen  miles,  to  Richard  Davenport's,  in  Amherst. 

The  Great  Things  of  the  Gospel 

Sept;  14.  We  rode  sixteen  miles  to  Liberty,  and 
preached  in  Bedford  Courthouse :  I  was  sick  in  earnest. 
When  I  came  up  into  the  crowd,  the  people  gathered 
around  my  carriage,  as  if  I  had  had  a  cake  and  cider 
cart;  this  sight  occasioned  a  kind  of  shock,  that  made 
me  forget  my  sickness.  After  alighting  I  went  imme- 
diately to  the  throng  in  the  Courthouse,  and  founded  a 
discourse  upon  Matt.  22.  5.  What  great  things  the 
gospel  revealeth  to  mankind,  i.  The  love  of  God;  2.  The 
sufferings,  and  death,  and  merits  of  Christ;  3.  The  gifts, 
extraordinary  and  ordinary,  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Men 
make  light  of  all  the  blessings  of  God,  and  of  all  the  mis- 
eries and  consequences  of  sin ;  they  not  only  think  lightly 
of,  but  are  opposed  exceedingly  to,  them ;  "for  the  carnal 
mind  is  enmity  against  God,"  and  the  things  of  God. 

Sept.  29.  We  began  our  grand  route  to  Kentucky  at 
eight  o'clock.  We  had  to  climb  the  steeps  of  Clinch 
about  the  heat  of  the  day  ;  walk  up  I  could  not :  I  rode, 
and  rested  my  horse  by  dismounting  at  times.  We  came 
to  Hunt's  for  the  first  night.     Such  roads  and  entertain- 


478  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1800 

ment  I  did  not  ever  again  expect  to  see,  at  least  in  so 
short  a  time. 

Oct.  I  (Kentucky).  We  came  to  Logan's  and  fed. 
This  low  and  new  land  is  scented ;  I  was  almost  sickened 
with  the  smell.     I  am  not  strong. 

Cokesbury  in  Miniature 

Oct.  4.  I  came  to  Bethel.  Bishop  Whatcoat  and 
William  McKendree  preached.  I  was  so  dejected  I  could 
say  little,  but  weep.  Here  is  Cokesbury  in  miniature, 
eighty  by  thirty  feet,  three  stories,  with  a  high  roof,  and 
finished  below.  Now  we  want  a  fund  and  an  income  of 
three  hundred  per  year  to  carry  it  on  ;  without  which  it 
will  be  useless.  But  it  is  too  distant  from  public  places ; 
its  being  surrounded  by  the  river  Kentucky  in  part,  we 
now  find  to  be  no  benefit.  Thus  all  our  excellencies  are 
turned  into  defects.  Perhaps  Brother  Poythress  and  my- 
self were  as  much  overseen  with  this  place  as  Dr.  Coke 
Avas  with  the  seat  of  Cokesbury.  But  all  is  right  that 
works  right,  and  all  is  wrong  that  works  wrong,  and  we 
must  be  blamed  by  men  of  slender  sense  for  consequences 
impossible  to  foresee,  for  other  people's  misconduct. 
Sabbath  day,  Monday,  and  Tuesday  we  were  shut  up  in 
Bethel  with  the  traveling  and  local  ministry  and  the 
trustees  that  could  be  called  together.  We  ordained  four- 
teen or  fifteen  local  and  traveling  deacons.  It  was  thought 
expedient  to  carry  the  first  design  of  education  into  exe- 
cution, and  that  we  should  employ  a  man  of  sterling 
cjualifications,  to  be  chosen  by  and  under  the  direction 
of  a  select  number  of  trustees  and  others,  who  should 
obligate  themselves  to  see  him  paid,  and  take  the  profits, 
if  any,  arising  from  the  establishment.  Dr.  Jennings 
was  thought  of,  talked  of,  and  written  to. 

Dr.  Samuel  K.  Jennings,  a  local  preacher  of  Baltimore,  after- 
ward concerned  in  the  "Mutual  Rights"  controversy. 

Oct.    10.     We  have  visited   Knox,   Madison,   Mercer, 


i8ooJ  WITHOUT  FOOD  479 

and  Washington  Counties  in  this  state.  I  was  strongly 
insisted  upon  l)y  preachers  and  people  that  I  should  say 
sonietliing  before  I  left  Bethel,  able  or  unable,  willing 
or  unwilling ;  accordingly,  on  Tuesday,  in  the  academical 
hall,  I  gave  a  long,  temperate  talk  upon  Heb.  lo.  38,  39. 

Oct.  16  (Tennessee).  We  came  on  to  Lucas's.  This 
poor  woman  was  excessively  displeased  because  I  asked 
her  if  she  prayed  with  her  children.  Next  day  wc  made 
thirty-five  miies  to  Sharp's  old  place,  where  we  had  good 
entertainment ;  they  charged  twenty  shillings  for  men  and 
horses.  We  thence  hasted  to  Mr.  Dickinson's,  on  White 
Creek.  I  waked  at  four  o'clock ;  ate  but  little  breakfast, 
and  rode  twenty-eight  miles.  The  poor  men  and  horses 
were  tired  down.  We  fed  the  horses  upon  the  path,  but 
had  no  food  for  ourselves  until  we  came  in.  I  have 
thought,  as  I  rode  along,  that  in  traveling  nearly  six 
hundred  measured  miles  we  have  had  only  six  appoint- 
ments, and  at  these  but  small  congregations.  Have  we 
wearied  ourselves  in  vain?  Our  judgment  is  with  the 
Lord ;  I  can  only  say  for  myself,  I  have  had  the  Lord's 
presence,  and  great  support  in  soul  and  body. 

First  Visit  to  Nashville 

Oct.  19.  I  rode  to  Nashville,  long  heard  of,  but  never 
seen  by  me  until  now.  Some  thought  the  congregation 
would  be  small,  but  I  believed  it  would  be  large.  Not 
less  than  one  thousand  people  were  in  and  out  of  the  stone 
church,  which  if  floored,  ceiled,  and  glazed  would  be  a 
grand  house.  We  had  three  hours  public  exercises.  Mr. 
McKendree  upon,  "The  wages  of  sin  is  death";  myself 
on  Rom.  10.  14,  15;  Brother  Whatcoat  on,  "When  Christ, 
who  is  our  life,  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also  appear 
with  him  in  glory."  We  returned  the  same  evening.  I 
had  a  feeling  sight  of  my  dear  old  friend  Green  Hill  and 
his  wife.  Who  would  have  thought  we  should  ever 
meet  in  this  distant  land?     I  had  not  time,  as  formerly. 


48o 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1800 


to  go  to  their  house  to  eat  and  sleep.     We  had  a  night 
meeting  at  Mr.  Dickinson's. 

Oct.  21.  Yesterday,  and  especially  during  the  night, 
were  witnessed  scenes  of  deep  interest.  In  the  intervals 
between  preaching  the  people  refreshed  themselves  and 
horses  and  returned  upon  the  ground.    The  stand  was  in 


GREEN    HILL  S    HOUSE. 

Situated  about  twelve  miles  from  Nashville,  Tennessee.  A 
Conference  was  held  at  Liberty  Hill  in  1808,  the  business  of 
which  was  transacted  at  this  house. 

the  open  air,  embosomed  in  a  wood  of  lofty  beech  trees. 
The  ministers  of  God,  Methodists  and  Presbyterians, 
united  their  labors,  and  mingled  with  the  childlike  sim- 
plicity of  primitive  times.  Fires  blazing  here  and  there 
dispelled  the  darkness,  and  the  shouts  of  the  redeemed 


iSoo]  SONS  OF  THE  PURITANS  481 

captives,  and  the  cries  of  precious  souls  struggliiifi^  into 
life,  l)roke  the  silence  of  niidnit^ht.  The  weather  was 
delightful ;  as  if  heaven  smiled,  while  mercy  flowed  in 
abundant  streams  of  salvation  to  perishing  sinners.  We 
suppose  there  were  at  least  thirty  souls  converted  at  this 
meeting.  I  rejoice  that  God  is  visiting  the  sons  of  the 
Puritans,  who  are  candid  enough  to  acknowledge  their 
obligations  to  the  Alethodists. 

Oct.  25.  I  could  not  be  content  to  leave  the  settle- 
ment without  circumstantial  account  of  the  work  of  God, 
and  I  therefc^re  desired  John  AIcGee  to  give  it  me.  And 
I  purpose  to  select  such  accounts  annually,  and  to  read 
them  in  the  large  congregations,  and  then  to  have  them 
published. 

Hospitality  in  the  Wilderness 

Oct.  29.  We  came  to  the  new  station  at  the  Crab 
Orchard,  where,  although  the  station  was  not  yet  put 
in  order,  Mr.  Sidnor  received  us  politely,  and  treated  us 
to  tea.  Here  we  found  a  cabin  under  the  direction  of  the 
Cherokee  nation,  on  land  they  claimed  as  theirs.  Through 
damps  and  mud  we  pushed  forward  to  Clarke's  Ferry, 
upon  Clinch,  in  sight  of  the  fort  at  Southwest  Point,  at 
the  Junction  of  Tennessee  and  Clinch  Rivers.  We  have 
traveled  nearly  seventy  miles  upon  land  belonging  to  the 
Cherokee  nation.  This  Indian  land  cuts  the  state  of 
Tennessee  into  two  parts,  passing  nearly  through  the 
middle,  making  an  indent  upon  the  state  of  Kentucky  on 
Yellow  Creek.  We  arrived  at  Mr.  Clark's,  where  we 
received  great  entertainment.  There  was  a  good  fire  in 
the  hall,  and  we  were  provided  with  a  good  dinner,  and 
treated  to  tea.  A  fire  was  also  kindled  upstairs,  at  which 
we  dried  our  clothes ;  to  which  may  be  added  excellent 
lodging  in  two  inner  rooms.  Thus  were  we  within, 
while  our  horses  were  feeding  to  fullness  in  a  grassy 
vallev  without.     Our  kind  host  rents  the  land  from  the 


482  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1800 

Indians  at  six  hundred  per  annum,  himself  making  the 
improvements.     It  is  a  good  arrangement. 

Nov.  4.  Rode  twenty  miles  up  Nollichuck}'  to  Benja- 
min Van  Pelt's,  where  I  had  left  my  horse  and  chaise. 
From  the  twenty-seventh  of  last  month,  the  day  on  which 
we  left  the  pleasant  mansion  of  our  friend  Van  Pelt, 
to  the  day  of  our  return,  we  rode,  I  presume,  quite  six 
hundred  and  sixty  if  not  seven  hundred  miles. 

Nov.  14.  On  the  sixteenth  of  September  we  set  out 
from  Virginia,  and  on  the  fourteenth  of  November  we 
were  in  North  Carolina,  at  the  foot  of  the  grand  moun- 
tain division  of  South  Carolina.  In  this  time  I  presume 
we  have  traveled  one  thousand  miles,  have  had  about 
twenty  appointments,  not  many  of  which  were  large ; 
have  lodged  about  twenty  nights  under  strange  roofs,  or 
at  houses  of  entertainment ;  and  have  expended  about  $50, 

Four  Hotirs  of  Public  Exercises 

Nov.  23.  An  extraordinary  cold  day  at  King's  Chapel. 
I  began  reading  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  occupied  the 
pulpit  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes ;  Brother  What- 
coat  followed  for  fifty  minutes,  and  Brother  Blanton  suc- 
ceeded him ;  to  this  followed  the  sacrament — making  the 
public  exercises  four  hours,  or  thereabouts,  of  continu- 
ance, in  a  very  open  building.  It  may  not  be  amiss  to 
mention  that  this  house  for  the  worship  of  God  was 
named  after  James  King,  who  died  a  martyr  to  the  yellow 
fever  in  Charleston. 

Nov.  29  (Georgia).  Came  twelve  miles  through  deep 
sands  to  Augusta.  We  have  traveled  nearly  one  hundred 
miles  since  last  Sabbath  day.  My  soul  hath  been  kept 
in  great  peace,  but  I  feel  the  effects  of  riding  a  stiff, 
aged,  falling  horse,  with  a  sore  back,  and  my  saddle  is 
old  and  worn.  Augusta  is  decidedly  one  of  the  most 
level  and  beautiful  spots  for  a  town  I  have  yet  seen.  It 
is  of  ample  extent  in  its  plan,  well  begun,  and  when  their 


i8oo]  SACRAMENT  AND  SERMON  483 

intention  shall  be  fulfilled  of  l)uil(ling  a  courthouse,  a 
college,  episcopal  churches  for  Methodists  and  others,  it 
will  do  credit  to  its  founders  and  inhabitants. 

Corrects  Transcript  of  Journal 

Dec.  5.  I  humbled  my  soul  before  God.  To-day  I 
have  been  occupied  in  correcting  a  transcript  of  my  jour- 
nal, that  one  had  copied  for  me,  who  did  not  well  under- 
stand my  shorthand.  The  original  was  written  in  my 
great  illness,  very  imperfectly ;  but  when  I  reflect  on  my 
situation  at  that  time,  I  wonder  that  it  is  as  well  as  it  is. 

Dec.  14.  We  had  sacrament  and  sermon;  my  subject 
was  Matt.  17.  5  :  "This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am 
well  pleased ;  hear  ye  him."  Introduction.  These  words 
were  in  part  spoken  at  his  baptism  (see  Matt.  3.  17; 
Mark  i.  2;  Luke  3.  22)  ;  that  there  were  three  witnesses 
present  to  hear,  and  four  had  recorded  it — to  wit,  Mat- 
thew, Mark,  Luke,  and  Peter,  i.  The  divine  Father  ac- 
knowledged the  sacred  and  mysterious  union — "This  is 
my  beloved  Son" :  a  relation  infinitely  above  that  of 
angels,  of  Adam  in  his  primeval  standing,  and  the  souls 
of  any  regenerated,  sanctified,  or  glorified  soul,  on  earth 
or  in  heaven — coequal,  coeternal,  and  coessential  with  the 
Father.  "Well-pleased !"  that  is,  in  the  whole  of  man's 
redemption  by  this  "beloved  Son" ;  "well-pleased" — in 
his  preaching,  living,  dying — in  every  part  of  his  official 
character.  "Hear  ye  him" — Mark  and  Luke  have  omitted 
"ye."  2.  The  particular  characters  who  should  hear  him 
in  his  word,  Spirit,  and  operations.  His  ministers  should 
hear  him — this  was  designed  in  the  text,  by  "ye" :  hear 
him  all  his  sanctified  souls ;  hear  him  all  who  are  justi- 
fied ;  hear  him  all  ye  seekers ;  hear  him  all  ye  sinners, 
hear  his  awful  warnings ;  all  ye  backsliders,  hear  him  as 
Peter  heard  him,  and  repent,  and  turn  to  him ;  hear  him 
ye  apostates,  as  Judas,  and  despair. 

Dec.  21.     I  saw  one  of  the  members  of  the  General 


484  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1800 

Assembly  of  South  Carolina,  who  informed  me  that 
our  address  from  the  General  Conference  had  been  read 
and  reprobated ;  and  furthermore,  that  it  had  been  the 
occasion  of  producing  a  law  which  prohibited  a  minister's 
attempting  to  instruct  any  number  of  blacks  with  the 
doors  shut ;  and  authorizing  a  peace  officer  to  break  open 
the  door  in  such  cases,  and  disperse  or  whip  the  offenders. 

Keeping  Christmas 

Christmas  Day.  At  Glenn's  Flat,  Chester  County, 
Sealey's  meetinghovise,  we  kept  our  Christmas.  Brother 
Whatcoat  preached  on,  "The  Son  of  God  was  manifested, 
that  he  might  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil."  My  sub- 
ject was,  "Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth 
peace,  good  will  toward  men."  We  lodged  at  Robert 
Walker's,  eighty  years  of  age,  awakened  under  Mr. 
Whitefield  in  Fogg's  ]\Ianor,  reawakened  at  Pipe  Creek, 
and  a  member  of  the  first  Methodist  society  in  Maryland. 

Dec.  30.  Came  to  Camden.  I  have  received  several 
letters  from  the  North :  they  bring  small  consolation — 
"While  he, was  yet  speaking  there  came  also  another" — 
murmurs — complaints  of  partiality — and  with  this  I  may 
console  myself  in  the  midst  of  unremitted  and  hard  trav- 
eling and  labor.  I  was  presented  with  a  petition  from 
about  eighty  male  members  of  the  society  in  the  city  of 
brotherly  love,  entreating  me  to  do  what  I  had  no  in- 
tention of  doing — that  was,  to  remove  Brother  Everett 
from  the  city.  How,  indeed,  was  this  to  be  done  ?  He  and 
they  had  acquitted  Robert  Mauley  of  the  charges  brought 
against  him  and  restored  him  to  membership ;  the  presid- 
ing elder  had  also  restored  to  office  three  or  four  elders 
who  had  been  put  out  for  murmurings  and  mischiefs, 
and  had  ejected  the  elder  stationed  in  the  city,  and  had 
filled  his  place  by  another — and  they  had  great  congre- 
gations, great  shoutings ;  and  God  was  with  them,  and 
nearly  one  hundred  had  joined  society.     To  all  this  what 


i8ot]  catechises  children  485 

can  we  do  but  say,  "Well  done,  thou  f^ood  and  faitliful 
servant"  and  servants !  Poor  bishop !  no  money  for  my 
expenses.  I  am  afflicted — my  life  threatened  on  the  one 
hand,  my  brethren  discontented  on  the  other.  True,  I 
received  from  them  a  petition  dipped  in  oil  and  honev  ; 
and  if  I  approve,  all  will  be  well ;  but  if  not,  drawn  swords 
may  be  feared. 

Jan.  I,  1801  (South  Carolina).  We  began  our  Con- 
ference at  Camden  with  the  new  year.  Sat  from  nine 
to  twelve  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  and  two  hours  in  the 
afternoon ;  the  band  meeting  was  held  between  the  hours 
of  seven  and  eight.  A  clerk  for  the  minutes  was  ap- 
pointed, and  another  to  keep  the  journal.  We  admitted 
four  probationers ;  readmitted  two  deacons  to  their  stand- 
ing in  the  traveling  connection,  who  had  left  it  to  locate ; 
located  three,  to  wit,  Blanton,  Cole,  and  Evans,  and  re- 
stationed  Gaines,  Wiley,  and  West,  who  had  all  located 
themselves  in  the  course  of  the  last  year.  We  had  great 
union.  It  is  true,  some  talked  loud,  but  I  dare  not  say 
there  was  any  improper  heat.  Our  sitting  continued  five 
days,  and  we  rested  one  Sabbath.  We  were  richly  ac- 
commodated at  Smith's  and  Carpenter's,  and  two  other 
houses.  We  only  failed  $48  in  paying  all  the  preachers 
their  demands. 

Jan.  12.  On  this  day  we  rested,  and  were  busily  em- 
ployed in  looking  over  our  books  and  papers.  I  felt 
deeply  affected  for  the  rising  generation.  Having  re- 
solved to  catechise  the  children  myself,  I  procured  a 
Scripture  catechism,  and  began  with  Brother  Horton's ; 
to  this  duty  I  purpose  to  attend  in  every  house  where 
leisure  and  opportunity  may  permit. 

Holds  Meeting  Underneath  the  Cotirthotfse 

Jan.  18.  Came  to  Wadesboro  after  a  court  week.  We 
held  our  meeting  underneath  the  courthouse,  within  the 
arches.     W^e  had  a  most  delightful  day.     Bishop  What- 


486  AvSBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1801 

coat  spoke  with  great  ingenuity  and  authority  upon  ''The 
wages  of  sin  is  death ;  but  the  gift  of  God  is  eternal  hfe." 
My  subject  was  Luke  18.  27. 

Jan.  23  (South  Carohna).  We  now  descended  into 
South  CaroHna.  Marlboro  County  presents  many  in- 
teresting views,  the  sawmills,  the  solitary,  lofty,  long- 
leaved  pines,  and  the  land,  though  a  barren,  is  of  the 
most  beautiful  kind,  and  for  range  for  cattle  and  for 
timber  is  very  valuable.  It  was  my  lot  to  be  speaker. 
Brother  Whatcoat  had  taken  so  deep  a  cold  he  could  do 
nothing,     I  preached  from  the  parable  of  the  sower. 

Mtirmtirs  of  Partiality 

Jan.  26.  I  find  reasons  enough  in  my  own  mind  to 
justify  myself  against  the  low  murmurs  of  partiality  in 
which  some  have  indulged.  We  are  impartial.  We  spend 
as  much  time  in  the  extremities.  We  know  not  Mary- 
land or  Delaware,  after  the  flesh,  more  than  Kentucky, 
Cumberland,  Georgia,  or  the  Carolinas.  It  is  our  duty  to 
save  the  health  of  preachers  where  we  can ;  to  make  par- 
ticular appointments  for  some  important  charges ;  and  it 
is  our  duty  to  embrace  all  parts  of  the  continent  and 
Union,  after  the  example  of  primitive  times  and  the  first 
faithful  preachers  in  America. 

Jan.  29.  At  Sweet's  Chapel  I  preached  on  Rev.  22. 
14,  15.  The  order:  i.  The  city;  2.  The  citizens;  3.  Their 
admission ;  4.  The  characters  shut  out  from  the  city. 

Jan.  30.  Sure  nothing  could  so  effectually  alarm  and 
arm  the  citizens  of  South  Carolina  against  the  Metho- 
dists as  the  Address  of  the  General  Conference.  The 
rich  among  the  people  never  thought  us  worthy  to  preach 
to  them.  They  did  indeed  give  their  slaves  lil^erty  to  hear 
and  join  our  church,  but  now  it  appears  the  poor  Afri- 
cans will  no  longer  have  this  indulgence.  Perhaps  we 
shall  soon  be  thought  unfit  for  the  company  of  their  dogs. 
But  who  will  mourn  the  loss  of  the  friendship  of  the 


iSoi]  CHARMING  SCENES  487 

world  that   hath   so   hated  our  Lord  and   Master  Jesus 
Christ? 

The  most  striking  feature  of  the  Journal  of  the  General  Con- 
ference of  1800  is  the  y^ersistent  antislavery  interest  of  many 
of  the  most  eminent  men  in  the  Conference.  Many  resolutions 
were  introduced,  and  a  very  decided  utterance  on  the  subject 
of  negro  slavery  was  made.  This  action  aroused  great  hostility 
in  South  Carolina. 

Feb.  4.  We  crossed  Little  Pee  Dee  at  the  Potato 
Bed  Ferry.  Beautiful  deep  sands,  live  oaks,  lofty  pines, 
palmetto  swamps,  with  intermingled  gums  and  cypress, 
variegated  by  evergreens  of  bay  and  laurel,  and  twining 
jessamine  flinging  its  odors  far  and  wide  around,  lawns 
and  savannas — such  is  the  country,  and  such  the  charm- 
ing scenes  through  which  we  have  frequently  passed  in 
our  late  rides.  We  brought  up  at  Richard  Green's,  near 
Kingston,  a  comfortable  place  to  stop  and  rest. 

Letters  to  the  North  and  Sotith 

Feb.  5.  Counsel  and  conversation  with  the  presiding 
elders,  several  long  letters  to  the  North  and  South,  and 
reading,  furnished  occupation  for  the  day.  I  received 
the  compilation  of  N.  Snethen,  intended  as  an  answer 
to  James  O'Kelly ;  it  is  well  done,  and  very  correctly 
done,  except  in  a  few  cases.  There  was  no  sharpness 
at  all  upon  my  side  with  Dr.  Coke  at  Charleston  respect- 
ing the  proposed  General  Conference,  Vv^hich  was  after- 
ward held. 

He  refers  to  the  first  General  Conference,  which  was  held  in 
1792. 

I  was  fully  convinced  that  nothing  else  would  finish 
the  unhappy  business  with  O'Kelly,  and  that  did  finish  it. 

Feb.  14  (North  Carolina).  We  have  ridden  at  least 
five  hundred  and  fifty,  if  not  six  hundred  miles,  over  the 
hills,  barrens,  swamps,  savannas,  rivers,  and  creeks,  of 
South  Carolina.    What  a  country  this  is ! 

At  Gause's  Manor,  or  more  properly  town,  we  were 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


i8o] 


pleasantly  situated.  I  had  a  most  solemn  visit  to  the 
sea  beach,  which  to  me  was  a  most  instructive  sight. 
The  sea  reminded  me  of  its  great  Maker,  "who  stayeth 
the  proud  waves  thereof,"  its  innumerable  productions, 
the  diversified  features  of  its  shores,  the  sand  hills,  the 
marsh,  the  palmetto,  tall  and  slender,  the  sheep  and  goats 


KILLIAN  S  HOUSE,  BEAVER  DAM  VALLEY,   NEAR  ASHEVILLE, 

NORTH    CAROLINA. 

Bishop  Asbury  preached  here   in    1800  and  at  several  times   in  later 

years. 

frisking  in  the  shade  or  browsing  in  the  sun ;  or  the  eye, 
directed  to  the  waters,  beholds  the  rolling  porpoise ;  the 
sea  gulls  lifting  and  letting  fall  from  high  the  clam, 
which,  breaking,  furnishes  them  with  food ;  the  eagles 
wdth  hovering  wings  watching  for  their  prey ;  the  white 
sail  of  the  solitary  vessel  tossed  upon  the  distant  wave — 


i8oi]  THOUGHTS  OF  HOME  489 

how  interesting  a  jMcture  do  all  these  objects  make!  I 
thought  upon  my  friends  on  the  other  side  the  great 
waters,  my  voyage  to  this  country,  the  little  probal)ility 
there  was  of  my  ever  again  seeing  my  dear  mother,  or 
my  native  land.     God  bless  my  mother ! 

Meeting  at  Lockwood's  Folly 

Feu.  22.  We  attended  a  meeting  at  Lockwood's  Folly. 
I  gave  a  sermon  upon  2  Cor.  4.  5:  i.  What  the  apostles 
of  our  Lord  did  not  preach ;  2.  What  they  did  preach ; 
3.  The  relation  of  ministers  to  Christ  and  to  souls,  the 
principles  of  their  service.  They  sought  not  their  own 
honor,  ease,  or  interest,  they  did  not  make  disciples  for 
themselves,  they  had  not  wisdom,  righteousness,  redemp- 
tion, for  souls ;  nor  grace  to  convict,  convert,  or  regen- 
erate. They  preached  Christ  in  his  prophetic,  priestly, 
and  kingly  offices,  in  his  gospel,  in  the  sacrifice,  once 
offered,  of  himself,  in  his  divinity.  "Ourselves  your  serv- 
ants for  Christ's  sake" — his  saved,  his  qualified,  his  com- 
missioned servants,  not  slaves,  bound  by  his  word,  his 
grace,  his  love,  not  for  any  worldly  consideration,  but 
"for  Christ's  sake"  ;  warning  sinners,  hypocrites,  Phari- 
sees, and  backsliders  ;  comforting  mourners  ;  strengthen- 
ing believers,  and  urging  and  inciting  to  holiness  of  heart 
and  life. 

Mar.  2.  I  began  to  review  for  this  year  the  preachers 
and  stations.  We  may  perhaps  find  one  preacher  for  a 
circuit  in  the  Virginia  Conference.  I  am  shocked  to  see 
how  lightly  the  preachers  esteem,  and  how  readily  they 
leave,  the  traveling  plan.  O  Lord,  by  whom  shall  Jacob 
arise? 

Mar.  9.  We  rode  thirty-seven  miles  to  Washington. 
At  twenty-one  miles  we  stopped  to  feed ;  high  price  and 
poor  fare.  We  have  ridden  six  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
toward  the  fourth  thousand  since  the  Carolina  Confer- 
ence.    Here  Ralph   Potts,  a   Northumbrian    (Old   Eng- 


490  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1801 

land),  but  American-made  Methodist,  received  us  as  the 
angels  of   God. 

Mar.  31.  We  came  in  haste  to  Suffolk.  It  was  my 
lot  to  preach  in  the  courthouse  at  twelve  o'clock.  My 
foundation  was  i  Tim.  4,  9,  10.  We  have  one  good- 
hearted  Methodist,  and  two  very  respectable  friends  here. 
The  inhabitants,  generally,  are  very  catholic,  they  desire 
to  build  a  house  for  us.  This  town  has  one  grand  street, 
about  one  hundred  houses,  and  is  well  situated  for  trade  in 
lumber,  turpentine,  tar,  and  pork,  collected  from  Carolina 
and  parts  of  this  state.  We  lodged  at  Richard  Yarberry's, 
an  ancient  friend  of  mine  from  Dinwiddle.  He  and  his 
W'ife  were  the  disciples  of  Mr.  Jarratt.  The  old  prophet, 
I  hear,  is  dead.  He  was  a  man  of  genius,  possessed  a 
great  deal  of  natural  oratory,  was  an  excellent  reader, 
and  a  good  writer.  From  1763  to  1801,  I  think,  he  was 
minister  of  the  parish  of  Bath,  in  Dinwiddle  County, 
in  this  state.  I  have  reason  to  presume  that  he  was  in- 
strumentally  successful  in  awakening  hundreds  of  souls 
to  some  sense  of  religion  in  that  dark  day  and  time.  How 
he  died  I  shall  probably  hear  and  record  hereafter. 

Methodist  Boy  Goes  to  Princeton  College 

Apr.  I.  After  meeting,  we  came  on  to  Knotty-Pine, 
to  the  house  of  mourning  for  a  favorite  son.  Marmaduke 
Baker  was  this  day  to  have  gone  to  Princeton  College  to 
hnish  his  education.  We  hope  he  is  gone  to  the  college 
of  saints  and  the  society  of  heaven. 

Apr.  9  (A'irginia).  Thursday,  Friday,  and  IMonday  in 
Conference.  We  had  a  press  of  business,  but  were 
peaceable  and  expeditious.  Brother  Lee  preached  on 
Saturday ;  I  held  forth  on  Sunday  morning  to  an  un- 
wieldy congregations  indoors,  while  William  Ormond 
preached  out  of  doors,  and  the  poor  blacks  had  their 
devotions  behind  the  house.  My  subject  was  Rom.  i.  16: 
"I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ :  for  it  is  the 


i8oi]         EXCELLENCE  OF  THE  GOSPEL  491 

power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  1)elieveth." 
The  manifest  excellence  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  in  three 
cases:  i.  As  a  revelation  from  God,  by  ancient,  and 
multiplied,  and  sure  prophecy  ;  2.  As  it  proclaimeth  sal- 
vation to  all  the  world  who  will  give  it  that  attention  and 
that  credence  which  is  given  to  the  reports  and  to  the 
business  of  the  world;  3.  The  spiritual  and  glorious 
salvation  of  the  gospel.  The  power  of  God  displayed 
upon  the  rich,  the  poor,  the  worldly  minded,  the  worldly 
wise,  and  worldly  ignorant,  and  sinners  of  the  deepest 
dye.  Modern  ministers  and  the  people  of  God  of  the 
present  day  should  not  be  ashamed  to  believe  and  profess 
the  experience  and  obey  the  precepts  of  the  gospel ;  not 
ashamed  to  sufifer  for  it  and  support  it ;  not  ashamed  to 
claim  all  its  promises ;  contend  for  the  truth  of  its  doc- 
trines, and  the  necessity  and  efficacy  of  its  divinely  ap- 
pointed ordinances. 

Fttneral  Sermon  of  Jarratt 

Apr.  19.  There  had  been  put  forth  a  printed  appoint- 
ment for  me  to  preach  the  funeral  sermon  of  the  late 
Rev.  Devereux  Jarratt,  who  had  lately  returned  to  his 
rest.  My  subject  was  Matt.  25.  21  :  "His  Lord  said  unto 
him.  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant :  thou 
hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee 
ruler  over  many  things:  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy 
Lord."  Devereaux  Jarratt  was  a  faithful  and  successful 
preacher.  He  had  witnessed  four  or  five  periodical  re- 
vivals of  religion  in  his  parish.  When  he  began  his 
labors  there  was  no  other,  that  he  knew  of,  evangelical 
minister  in  all  the  province !  Lie  traveled  into  several 
counties,  and  there  were  very  few  parish  churches  within 
fifty  miles  of  his  own  in  which  he  had  not  preached.  Lie 
preached  the  word  of  life  also  on  solitary  plantations  and 
in  meetinghouses.  He  was  the  first  who  received  our 
despised  preachers.     When  strangers  and  unfriended,  he 


492  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1801 

took  them  to  his  house,  and  had  societies  formed  in  his 
parish.  Some  of  his  people  became  traveling  preachers 
among  us.  I  have  already  observed  that  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  Jarratt  was  successful.  I  verily  believe  that  hun- 
dreds were  awakened  by  his  labors. 

Apr.  30.  We  opened  Conference  at  Henry  Willis's,  on 
Pipe  Creek. 

May  I.  We  had  about  forty  members  present,  and 
sat  on  Friday,  Saturday,  and  Monday;  on  Tuesday 
morning  we  rose.  We  had  great  peace;  and  good  news 
from  several  circuits — revivals  of  religion.  On  Sabbath 
day  I  preached  from  Matt.  28.  18-20.  i.  The  authority 
of  Christ,  his  natural,  and  his  divine  right  as  the 
coeternal  Son,  his  right  by  redemption,  his  right  by 
family  compact,  and  the  delegation  of  the  whole  Trinity, 
to  the  work  of  redemption  and  salvation ;  2.  The  branches 
of  duty  appointed  to  his  ministers:  to  preach  the  gospel 
in  all  its  essential  points ;  to  administer  the  ordinances ; 
and  to  rule  the  church  of  Christ ;  3.  "I  am  with  you,"  at 
all  times,  and  in  all  places,  to  support  and  to  give  you 
success  as  Christians  and  as  ministers.  We  had  six 
elders  present,  to  wit.  William  Watters,  John  Phillips, 
Solomon  Harris,  Joseph  Stone,  John  CuUison,  and  Alex- 
ander McCaine.  There  was  preaching  every  day  and 
every  night.  Our  own  people  and  our  friends  in  the  set- 
tlement were  equally  kind,  and  we  had  rich  entertain- 
ment. This  settlement  of  Pipe  Creek  is  the  richest  in 
the  state.  Here  Mr.  Strawbridge  formed  the  first  society 
in  Maryland — and  America. 

This  statement  conflicts  with  one  made  previously  in  the 
Discipline  by  both  Asbury  and  Coke,  in  which  the  priority  is 
given  to  the  New  York  society. 

May  13.  I  preached  once  more  at  Joseph  W.  Dallam's. 
I  could  speak  with  more  faith  than  usual  upon  Acts  2.  37, 
for,  behold !  Henry  Waters'  son,  many  years  insensible 
to  the  things  of  God,  was  converted !     When  we  parted 


iSoi]     ATTENDS  A  SCHOOL  EXAMINATION       493 

with  Godfrey  he  looked  after  us  with  wishful,  willing 
eyes  and  heart.  That  the  dear  soul  should  sit  nearly 
thirty  years  under  the  gospel,  unconverted  and  almost 
unconcerned,  how  strange !  and  should  be  at  last  visited 
and  converted,  how  merciful ! 

Three  Thousand  Souls 

May  15.  We  hope  that  nearly  three  thousand  souls 
have  been  added  since  last  Conference .  in  the  peninsula 
of  Delaw^are,  Maryland,  and  Virginia. 

May  23.  I  formed  a  plan  for  another  year,  allowing 
only  about  twenty  days  to  visit  every  circuit  but  Caro- 
line, by  one  appointment  in  a  circuit  and  county. 

May  25.  Arrived  in  Dover,  we  found  the  people  col- 
lected at  the  meetinghouse  so  numerous  that  they  could 
not  be  well  accommodated.  We  therefore  adjourned  to 
the  statehouse,  where  I  spoke  to  them  from  Hag.  2.  5-9. 
Brother  Whatcoat  preached  at  the  chapel,  and  I  gave  an 
exhortation ;  and  so  ended  the  great  meeting  in  Dover 
with  us.  I  went  to  Dr.  Cook's  to  see  Thomas  White's 
only  surviving  daughter,  and  Sarah  Cook.  I  preached 
at  Duck  Creek  Crossroads,  upon  i  Thess.  i.  7-12.  In 
the  afternoon  I  must  needs  go  to  attend  an  examination 
of  the  children  of  a  school  partly  under  the  Methodist 
direction.  I  could  not  have  thought  the  scholars  would 
so  greatly  improve  in  so  short  a  time.  Their  improve- 
ment reflects  honor  upon  their  teacher,  a  Mr.  Hughes,  a 
Methodist  from  Ireland.  The  master  had  provided  a 
medal,  but  the  committee  judged  it  proper  to  keep  it  for 
a  future  examination.  Indeed,  the  master  himself  was 
best  entitled  to  an  honorary  reward ;  and  this  being  the 
general  sentiment,  a  subscription  was  undertaken  for 
money,  to  furnish  the  children  each  with  a  small  silver 
piece,  and  so  make  them  equal,  in  a  free  country. 

May  31  (Philadelphia).  On  Monday,  Tuesday, 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday  I  attended  the  session 


494  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1801 

of  Conference,  but  on  Saturday  I  remained  in  my  lodg- 
ings, and  ministered  to  my  sore  foot.  Our  Conference 
was  a  gracious  one.  It  appeared  as  if  the  preachers  were 
unwilHng  to  elevate  their  voices  lest  there  should  be  an 
appearance  of  heat  or  anger ;  yet  with  the  greatest  plain- 
ness would  they  differ  from  each  other,  calmly,  and 
in  love.    How  beautiful  to  dwell  together  in  unity ! 

A  Satisfactory  Conference 

June  7.  I  took  up  my  cross,  and  stayed  quietly  in  the 
house  with  a  blister  to  my  foot.  We  shall  see  if  another 
operation  will  be  necessary.  Minutes  and  letters  took 
up  my  attention.  We  elected  and  ordained  eight  deacons, 
and  the  same  number  of  elders ;  on  account  of  my  lame- 
ness it  was  done  at  my  lodgings.  We  were  well  satisfied 
in  the  stationing  of  the  preachers.  We  received  one 
from  Canada,  and  sent  three  thither.  My  soul  hath  great 
peace,  and  although  there  has  been  a  formidable  division 
threatened,  we 'humbly  hope  God  will  overrule  it  all  to 
his  glory. 

June  16.  I  wrote  to  Dr.  Coke.  My  mind  is  greatly 
supported  under  my  own  troubles,  and  the  afflictions  of 
the  church ;  nevertheless,  the  Lord  appears  glorious  upon 
our  continent,  and  my  soul  exults  in  Zion's  prosperity. 
Our  Conference  meets  this  day  in  New  York,  and  here 
am  I  in  Philadelphia,  and  here  must  I  remain  in  patience 
and  in  pain. 

July  5.  I  attended  at  Fourth  Street;  sermon  and 
sacrament.  I  spoke  from  i  Cor.  11.  27-29.  I  stood  upon 
one  knee  and  one  foot,  about  an  hour  and  a  half.  Let- 
ters received  from  the  CaroHnas  advise  of  a  revival  of 
religion.    Glory  to  God  !    The  work  prospers. 

This  year  was  marked  by  a  widespread  revival.  Asbury 
frequently  refers  to  it.  Ezekiel  Cooper,  writing  from  Phila- 
delphia under  date  of  July  1 2,  says:  "  We  have  it  in  our  power, 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  send  you  good  and  great  news  from 
our  country.     Since  the  General  Conference  there  appears  to 


i8oi]  A  GLORIOUS  REVIVAL  495 

have  been  a  general  revival  almost  throughout  the  United 
States.  On  what  we  call  the  Peninsula,  lying  between  the 
Delaware  and  Chesapeake  Bays,  there  has  been  an  addition  of 
about  three  thousand  souls  to  our  societies  the  last  year  In 
some  circuits  on  the  Eastern  Shore  there  has  been  an  addition 
of  about  one  thousand  members.  In  this  city  we  have  had  the 
greatest  revival  I  ever  knew.  Since  last  November  about  five 
hundred  have  joined  us."  A  little  later  he  writes:  "  The  work 
goes  on  in  a  glorious  manner  in  many  parts  of  the  United 
States.  In  Brother  Ware's  district  there  have  joined  us  about 
one  thousand  since  Conference,  and  he  writes  that  there  is  a 
prospect  of  greater  harvest  this  year  than  they  had  last." 

July  27.  Why  should  I  continue  my  journal  while 
here?  What  would  it  be  but  a  talc  of  woe? — the  society 
divided,  and  I,  perforce,  shut  up  in  Sodom,  without  any 
communication  with  the  connection  at  large.  I  have 
been  reading  my  papers,  for  a  second  volume  of  a  jour- 
nal. June  and  July  of  this  year  are  almost  blanks  with 
me.  I  have  had  my  own  bodily  and  soul  sufferings ;  and 
some  violent  men  have  divided  the  body  of  Christ  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia.  Let  such  answer  for  it  in  this,  and 
the  world  to  come. 

July  31.  After  a  serious  confinement  in  Philadelphia 
of  two  months  of  trouble  and  affliction  I  took  my  de- 
parture and  rode  to  the  Wheatsheaf,  where  we  break- 
fasted, and  thence  proceeded  to  Wilmington,  Delaware. 

At  Perry  Hall 

Aug.  3.  I  came  on  to  Perry  Hall.  Here  were  things 
to  arrest  my  attention.  Out  of  sixty  or  seventy  servants, 
many  shouting  and  praising  God.  My  dear  Mr.  Gough 
was  somewhat  afling.  Mrs.  Carroll  seriously  ill,  and  her 
mother  absent  in  attendance  on  old  Mrs.  Carroll,  at  the 
Mount. 

I  continued  at  Perry  Hall  to  Saturday,  the  fifteenth. 
An  intermittent  fever  came  upon  me  every  morning.  It 
was  with  difficulty  I  could  attend  to  the  performance  of 
religious  duties,  even  being  much  unfitted  for  reading  or 


496  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1801 

writing.     I  got  through  a  part  of  Doddridge's  Rise  and 
Progress,  and  some  of  Young's  Night  Thoughts. 

Aug.  16.  I  spent  this  day  in  Baltimore.  Aly  indis- 
position of  body  was  amply  compensated  by  the  consola- 
tion I  felt  while  holding  forth  upon  Alatt.  5.  8:  "Blessed 
are  the  pure  in  heart:  for  they  shall  see  God."  i.  The 
character  of  those  who  by  justification  are,  in  a  special 
manner,  called  to  be  pure  in  heart ;  called  by  promise,  by 
privilege,  by  duty ;  2.  The  purity  of  the  gospel  in  au- 
thority, in  example,  precept,  and  spirit ;  in  its  operative 
influence  on  the  understanding,  conscience,  intentions, 
will,  hopes,  fears,  joys,  sorrows,  and  affections,  producing 
the  sanctification  of  the  soul  in  a  deliverance  from  all 
sin ;  3.  The  visions :  in  what  manner  the  pure  in  heart 
should  see  God ;  they  shall  see  him  in  his  perfections,  in 
his  providence,  in  his  works  of  nature,  and  the  opera- 
tions of  his  grace,  and  they  shall  see  him  in  his  glory.  I 
had  a  desire  to  preach  in  the  markethouse  upon  Howard's 
Hill.  I  spoke  to  hundreds,  perhaps  thousands,  upon 
Luke  14.  21  :  "Go  out  quickly  into  the  streets  and  lanes 
of  the  city,  and  bring  in  hither  the  poor,  and  the  maimed, 
and  the  halt,  and  the  blind."  I  thought  it  my  duty,  and 
I  felt  it  a  delight  to  sanction  what  the  preachers  do  in 
preaching  abroad.  I  wished  to  do  it  in  Philadelphia,  and 
had  appointed  it,  but  some  of  my  brethren  made  strong 
objections,  and  it  was  abandoned.  We  have  peace, 
health,  and  union  in  Baltimore. 

Great  and  Good  News 

Aug.  19.  I  came  from  Baltimore  to  Robert  Carman's, 
near  the  stone  chapel.  This  was  a  day  of  great  and  good 
news.  I  heard  that  eight  souls  professed  to  find  the  Lord 
at  a  prayer  meeting  in  the  city ;  twelve  souls  at  Callison's, 
in  the  Barrens,  about  fifteen  days  past ;  and  by  letters 
from  Thomas  Wilkerson,  and  advices  from  William  AIc- 
Kendree,  forty  souls  were  happily  made  subjects  of  con- 


i8oi]  FUTURE  JOURNEYS  497 

verting'  grace   at   a   late   meeting   held    in    Cnniberland, 
Tennessee. 

Aug.  28.  At  Fredericktown  I  spoke  on  jMatt.  11.  5,  6. 
Mere  I  met  with  Bishop  Whatcoat  and  Sylvester  Hutch- 
inson. We  formed  a  plan  for  our  future  journeys  and 
labors :  they,  to  visit  Maryland  by  the  way  of  Baltimore 
and  Annapolis,  and  thence  on  to  Richmond  and  the 
towns  on  the  route  to  Camden,  in  South  Carolina,  and 
southward  to  Georgia ;  I,  in  company  with  Nicholas 
Snethen,  go  out  to  the  Western  Conference  in  Nolli- 
chucky,  then  afterward  cross  over  to  the  South. 

A  Request  Refused 

Sept.  2.  I  received  an  Address  from  the  most  re- 
spectable citizens  of  Winchester,  praying  the  continuance 
of  Mr.  Snethen  to  officiate  in  the  ministry  among  them, 
but  it  could  not  be.  He  was  appointed  at  Baltimore  to 
travel  with  me,  and  I  could  not  get  another  at  this  time 
and  place  to  answer  as  well. 

vSept.  17.  We  held  a  meeting  at  Pepper's  Chapel,  N. 
Snethen  spoke  upon  2  Pet.  i.  10.  As  I  was  called  upon 
by  recommendation  to  ordain  Edward  Morgan  to  the 
office  of  a  deacon,  my  subject  was  2  Tim.  4.  i,  2. 

Sept.  20.  We  came  over  the  mountains  to  Saltsburg, 
and  preached  at  the  widow  Russell's.  N.  Snethen  was 
greatly  enlarged,  upon  Luke  11.  3,  4.  I  was  so  feeble  I 
had  but  little  to  say,  upon,  "Behold,  now  is  the  day  of 
salvation."  I  was  pleased  to  see  our  local  brethren  come 
forty  and  fifty  miles  to  visit  me.  We  met  with  joy,  and 
parted  in  tears. 

Sept.  30.  I  spoke  on  Heb.  2.  i,  and  hasted  on  to 
Ebenezer  to  attend  the  Conference.  Our  brethren  in 
Kentucky  did  not  attend ;  they  pleaded  the  greatness  of 
the  work  of  God.  Twelve  of  us  sat  in  Conference  three 
days,  and  we  had  not  an  unpleasant  countenance,  nor 
did  we  hear  an  angry  word.     And  why  should  it  not 


498  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1801 

cilways  be  thus?  Are  we  not  the  ministers  of  the  meek 
and  lowly,  the  humble  and  holy  Jesus  ?  N.  Snethen  gave 
us  two  sermons.  We  ordained  on  Friday,  Saturday,  and 
Sabbath  day,  and  upon  each  day  I  improved  a  little  on 
the  duties  of  ministers.  On  the  Lord's  Day  we  assembled 
in  the  woods,  and  made  a  large  congregation.  My  sub- 
ject was  Isa.  62.  I.  On  Friday  and  Saturday  evenings, 
and  on  Sabbath  morning,  there  was  the  noise  of  praise 
and  shouting  in  the  meetinghouse.  It  is  thought  there 
are  twenty-five  souls  who  have  found  the  Lord.  They 
are  chiefly  the  children  of  Methodists,  the  children  of 
faith  and  of  many  prayers,  and  of  great  hopes. 

Cotton  Sells  High ! 

Oct.  24.  We  had  to  attend  a  meeting  appointed  at 
Broad  River  Circuit.  N.  Snethen  spoke  from  2  Tim. 
2.  8.  I  only  exhorted,  and  read  a  letter  giving  an  account 
of  the  Word  of  God  in  Kentucky.  We  have  been  working 
this  week  from  Saluda  to  Reedy  River,  down  the  Enoree, 
crossing  and  recrossing  through  Pendleton,  Greenville, 
Laurens,  Spartanburg,  and  Newberry  District  Counties  in 
South  Carolina.  I  cannot  record  great  things  upon  re- 
ligion in  this  quarter,  but  cotton  sells  high.  I  fear  there 
is  more  gold  than  grace,  more  of  silver  than  of  "that 
wisdom  that  cometh  from  above." 

Oct.  30.  We  came  in  haste  to  Daniel  Baugh's :  here 
we  met  Bishop  Whatcoat,  and  Sylvester  Hutchinson, 
who  had  come  along  rapidly.  Now  we  formed  a  plan  for 
future  labors  and  travel ;  it  was  concluded  that  Bishop 
Whatcoat  should  go  from  the  center  east  to  Savannah 
and  Saint  Marys,  while  I  go  west,  in  Georgia. 

Nov.  8  (Georgia).  At  Thompson's  meetinghouse  N. 
Snethen  preached  from  Matt.  18.  19,  20.  I  suppose  we 
have  now  traveled  twelve  hundred  miles  since  leaving 
Philadelphia.  I  often  have  it  whispered  in  my  ear  what 
certain  folks  are  pleased  to  say  of  my  being  an  English- 


i8oi]  THE  HEAVENLY  COUNTRY  499 

man.  How  can  I  licl])  that?  I  am  not  ashamed  i)f  it. 
But  I  am  seeking  souls,  and  Zion's  glory;  heaven  is  my 
country. 

"  There  is  my  house  and  portion  fair; 
My  treasure  and  my  heart  are  there, 

And  my  abiding  home ; 
For  me  my  elder  brethren  stay, 
And  angels  beckon  me  away, 
And  Jesus  bids  me  come." 

Noy.  14.  We  came  to  Park's  meetinghouse.  Brother 
Blanton  spoke  on  John  12.  35  ;  my  subject  was  Heb.  6.  11, 
12.  We  have  traveled  about  one  Inmdred  miles  since  our 
entrance  into  Georgia,  passing  through  parts  of  Rich- 
mond, Columbia,  Lincohi,  Elbert,  and  Franklin  Counties. 
The  people  are  extremely  kind.  In  my  ministry  I  have 
been  greatly  assisted,  but  unless  I  am  more  temperate  in 
my  talk,  in  tone  and  time,  I  shall  not  be  able  to  manage 
more  than  every  other  day.  In  a  serious  conference 
with  Bishop  Whatcoat,  N.  Snethen,  Lyle,  Hutchinson, 
and  myself  it  plainly  appeared  that  the  best  way  in  future 
would  be  to  meet  at  the  Virginia  Conference,  and  thence 
continue  together  to  the  New  York  Conference ;  after 
which,  one  might  go  to  the  East,  and  the  other  to  the 
Western  Conference :  the  bishop  who  went  East  would 
then  visit  the  Eastern  states  and  the  lake  country,  and 
thence  onward  to  Pittsburg  and  the  Virginia  Districts ; 
the  bishop  who  goeth  West  will  visit  over  the  Blue  Ridge, 
Holston,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Georgia,  South  and 
North  Carolina,  to  the  Conferences  in  the  center  of  the 
work,  where  both  will  meet  again.  In  this  we  all  agreed. 
It  was  also  determined  that  each  bishop  should  always 
have  an  elder  as  a  traveling  companion. 

Asbury's  Hardships 

Nov.  19.  We  found  at  Tidwell's  a  very  open  house  in 
the  woods.     I  spoke  from  Acts  3.  26.     At  Freeman's, 


500  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1801 

next  day,  we  had  another  open  house  lately  put  up, 
where  Brother  Blanton  held  forth  upon,  "The  whole 
head  is  sick,  and  the  whole  heart  faint."  My  subject 
was  Isa.  35.  3-6.  We  started,  hungry  aiijd  cold,  crossing 
at  Malone's  mill  a  branch  of  Oconee,  and  came  to  Henry 
Pope's,  in  Oglethorpe.  We  have  ridden  about  eighty 
miles  this  week  of  short  and  cold  days.  Why  should  a 
living  man  complain? — but  to  be  three  months  together 
upon  the  frontiers,  where,  generally,  you  have  but  one 
room  and  fireplace,  and  half  a  dozen  folks  about  you, 
strangers  perhaps,  and  their  family  certainly — and  they 
are  not  usually  small  in  these  plentiful  new  countries — 
making  a  crowd.  And  this  is  not  all ;  for  here  you  may 
meditate  if  you  can,  and  here  you  must  preach,  read, 
write,  pray,  talk,  eat,  drink,  and  sleep — or  fly  into  the 
woods.  Well !  I  cheer  myself  as  well  as  I  may  with 
songs  in  the  night — with  Wesley's,  Watts's,  and  Sten- 
nett's  sight  of  Canaan,  in  four  hymns.  In  this  country 
are  seen  evident  traces  of  a  great  population,  which  has 
some  time  existed  before  the  present  discoveries  and 
settlers  of  America. 

Dec.  12.  We  came  to  Augusta,  and- arrived  while  N. 
Snethen  was  preaching.  Riding  in  the  cold  and  writing 
in  the  night  have  occasioned  a  weakness  in  my  eye. 

Ordains  Deacons 

Dec.  13.  Ordaining  Brothers  Joshua  Moore  and  Gil- 
more  to  the  office  of  deacons,  and  assisting  at  the  sacra- 
ment, made  all  my  labors  for  this  day.  We  had  an  ex- 
cellent discourse  from  N.  Snethen  on  Rev.  2.  4,  5.  The 
Lord  hath  made  windows  in  heaven,  and  he  can  do  it 
again,  and  souls  may  be  converted  in  Augusta.  Here  I 
leave  the  state  of  Georgia. 

Dec.  14  (South  Carolina).  I  found  Weatherly  meet- 
inghouse much  neater  than  I  expected.  My  subject  here 
was  2  Cor.  5.  14:    "For  the  love  of  Christ  constraineth 


iSo2]  DEAR  JOHN  WESLEY  ^501 

lis."      1   know  not   what  beside  slidiild  move  a  Christian 
minister  to  travel  and  labor  in  this  country. 

Growing  in  Grace 

Dec.  24.  The  Four  Hole  is  a  name  given  to  a  river 
because  there  are  four  sinks  or  holes  upon  the  banks. 
1  lere,  at  the  White  meetinghouse,  1  preached  on  2  Pet. 
3.  18:  "But  grow  in  grace."  i.  We  should  have  grace 
planted  or  sown  in  our  souls ;  2.  Grow  in  the  habits  and 
exercises  of  grace ;  3.  Rules  by  which  we  should  grow  in 
grace;  4.  \]y  what  rules  we  may  judge  of  our  growth 
in  grace. 

Dec.  26.  I  have  made  a  proper  visit  through  Edisto, 
which  I  had  not  before  done.  I  find  the  truth  of  an  ob- 
servation made  by  dear  John  Wesley  to  Dr.  Coke,  upon 
his  going  to  Nova  Scotia.  The  doctor  said  he  did  not 
think  highly  of  the  place.  "That  is  because  you  have  never 
I)een  there,"  replied  Wesley ;  "when  you  are  there  you 
will  think  and  feel  for  the  people."  I  have  now  ridden 
about  seventeen  hundred  miles  upon  this  tour. 

Jan.  I,  1802  (Camden,  South  Carolina).  We  opened 
Conference.  I  gave  a  discourse  upon  Isa.  66.  1-3.  We 
conducted  our  business  in  great  peace,  and  upon  the 
Sabbath  day  were  ready  for  the  ordination  of  seven  elders 
and  seven  deacons.  The  members  of  our  Conference, 
with  a  few  others,  made  up  our  congregations,  to  whom 
we  preached  at  noon  and  at  night  each  day.  Our  finances 
were  low.  The  married  and  the  single  preachers  were 
paid  up ;  but  there  was  no  surplus  for  the  children.  On 
Tuesday,  the  fifth,  we  concluded  our  labors  in  the  great- 
est harmony.  It  wa,s  thought  best  to  divide  South  Caro- 
lina into  two  districts,  one  called  Saluda,  the  other 
Camden.  They  were  placed  under  the  presiding  elder- 
ship of  two  natives  of  the  State,  James  Jenkins  and 
George  Dougherty. 

J.\N.   9.     We  reached   Georgetown.     I   shall   put  our 


502   ,  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1802 

pleasures  and  our  paius  in  a  small  compass.  Wc  were 
but  four  days  riding  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles.  I 
have  now  made  one  thousand  nine  hundred  miles.  My 
soul  hath  been  surprisingly  stayed  upon,  and  devoted  to, 
Jehovah.  What  South  Carolina  was,  as  to  Methodism, 
when  I  came  first  to  Georgetown,  1  know ;  and  what  it 
is  now,  I  know;  but  what  may  it  be  thirty  years  hence? 

Jan.  24.  N.  Snethen  spoke  upon  Rom.  8.  6,  7.  I  gave 
an  exhortation  upon  John  5.  39,  40.  It  was  not  at  all 
agreeable  to  me  to  see  nearly  a  hundred  slaves  standing 
outside,  and  peeping  in  at  the  door,  while  the  house  was 
half  empty.  They  were  not  worthy  to  come  in  because 
they  were  black  !    Farewell  to  that  house  forever ! 

Mar.  I  (Salem).  We  began  and  held  close  Confer- 
ence four  days,  and  had  preaching  each  day.  Bruce, 
Lee,  Jackson,  and  Snethen  were  our  preachers.  Seven 
deacons  and  one  elder  were  ordained.  There  was  great 
strictness  observed  in  the  examination  of  the  preachers' 
characters.  Some  were  reproved  before  the  Conference 
for  their  lightness  and  other  follies. 

Funeral  Sermon 

Mar.  19.  By  appointment,  I  preached  John  Lee's 
funeral  sermon.  My  text  was  Phil.  2.  22:  "But  ye  know 
the  proof  of  him,  that,  as  a  son  with  the  father,  hath  he 
served  with  me  in  the  gospel":  I.  The  excellency  of  the 
gospel ;  2.  The  service  of  the  gospel ;  3.  The  proof  of 
Timothy,  his  pious  parents,  his  education,  conviction, 
call,  and  ordination,  his  ministry,  his  obedience  as  a  son 
with  a  father,  in  mutual  love,  in  mutual  confidence,  and 
mutual  services.  I  showed  the  excellency  of  a  patri- 
archal or  fatherly  government  in  the  church.  I  paral- 
leled John  Lee's  character  with  Timothy's,  in  his  manner 
of  living,  laboring,  and  death.  N.  Snethen  came  up  and 
preached  at  night.  The  next  day  we  arrived  at  Rich- 
mond, and  the  following  day  N.  Snethen  preached  upon 


i8o2]  IMPOLITE  HEARERS  503 

the  epistle  to  the  eluirch  of  I^pliestis.  I  spoke  in  ihe 
afternoon  ujion  I'liih  2.  12,  13.  1  liad  a  great  crowd  of 
the  most  inipohte,  spiritually  impolite  hearers  I  have 
seen  for  many  months ;  so  much  for  the  capital  of 
\'irg"inia,  he  it  said  to  its  shame. 

The  Watchtower  in  Light   Street 

Mar.  28  (Baltimore).  I  had  uncomfortahle  feelinsi^s, 
occasioned  hy  a  cold  I  had  taken.  Upon  my  watchtovver 
in  Light  Street  I  stood  and  delivered  a  message  on  James 
5.  19,  20.  I  wrote,  and  rested  until  Thursday,  the  lirst 
day  of  April,  when  our  yearly  Conference  commenced. 
We  went  on  with  our  husiness  smoothly  and  rapidly,  and 
had  preaching  each  noon  and  evening  in  every  Methodist 
house  for  public  worship  in  the  city. 

Apr.  4.  I  administered  the  Word  in  Light  Street  from 
Matt.  5.  12;  in  the  new  chapel  at  Fells  Point  on  Isa. 
56.  7.  This  is  the  neatest  house,  within  and  without, 
that  we  have  in  Baltimore.  Alexander  McKain  hath 
l)een  very  attentive  to  the  temporal  and  spiritual  interests 
of  the  house  and  society. 

Apr.  5.  We  had  a  day  of  fasting  and  humiliation  for 
the  Conference,  the  continent,  and  the  Church  of  God. 
I  improved  the  occasion,  and  spoke  from  Acts  14.  22^. 
I  was  presented  with  a  new  impression  of  my  journal.  It 
is  very  incorrect.  Had  I  had  an  opportunity  before  it 
was  put  to  press,  I  should  have  altered  and  expunged 
many  things.  The  inaccuracies  of  grammar,  and  imper- 
fections of  composition  incident  to  the  hasty  notices  of 
a  manuscript  journal,  are  preserved  in  the  printed  copy. 
On  ?kIondav  evening  the  Conference  rose.  All  the  de- 
mands of  the  preachers  were  answered.  Money  was  ad- 
vanced toward  the  purchase  of  horses.  To  those  who 
had  distant  circuits  and  far  to  go,  donations  were  made, 
and  nearly  $200  verv  liberally  sent  to  the  MonmoiUh 
Conference,  which  is  to  meet  in  Jwlv  next.     Within  the 


504  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1802 

circling  lines  of  this  Conference  we  report  to  this  sitting 
an  addition  to  the  society  of  three  thousand  souls  and 
upward,  besides  those  who  may  have  died  within  the 
last  eleven  months.  John  Pawson's  letter  and  fifty  copies 
of  a  volume  of  sermons  came  safely  to  hand.  His  and 
other  letters  concerning  the  work  of  God  I  read  to  my 
brethren,  who  were  both  edified  and  comforted  thereby. 

Asbury's  Tribute  to  His  Mother 

While  in  Baltimore  I  received  an  account  of  the  death 
of  my  mother,  which  I  fear  is  true.  And  here  I  may 
speak  safely  concerning  my  very  dear  mother ;  her 
character  to  me  is  well  known.  Her  paternal  descent 
was  Welsh,  from  a  family  ancient  and  respectable,  of  the 
name  of  Rogers.  She  lived  a  woman  of  the  world  until 
the  death  of  her  first  and  only  daughter,  Sarah  Asbury. 
How  would  the  bereaved  mother  weep  and  tell  of  the 
beauties  and  excellencies  of  her  lost  and  lovely  child, 
pondering  on  the  past  in  the  silent  suffering  of  hopeless 
grief.  This  afflictive  providence  graciously  terminated 
in  the  mother's  conversion.  When  she  saw  herself  a  lost 
and  wretched  sinner  she  sought  religious  people,  but  "in 
the  times  of  this  ignorance"  few  were  "sound  in  the 
faith,"  or  "faithful  to  the  grace  given."  Many  were  the 
days  she  spent  chiefly  in  reading  and  prayer.  At  length 
she  found  justifying  grace  and  pardoning  mercy.  So 
dim  was  the  light  of  truth  around  her,  from  the  assur- 
ance she  found,  she  was  at  times  inclined  to  believe  in 
the  final  perseverance  of  the  saints.  For  fifty  years  her 
hands,  her  house,  her  heart,  were  open  to  receive  the  peo- 
ple of  God  and  ministers  of  Christ,  and  thus  a  lamp  was 
lighted  up  in  a  dark  place  called  Great  Barre,  in  Great 
Britain.  She  was  an  afflicted,  yet  most  active  woman,  of 
quick  bodily  powers,  and  masculine  understanding. 
Nevertheless,  "so  kindly  all  the  elements  were  mixed  in 
her,"  her   strong  mind  quickly   felt  the  subduing  influ- 


i8o2]       ASBURY'S  VERY  DEAR  MOTHER         505 

ences  of  that  Christian  synii)athy  which  "weeps  with 
those  who  weep,"  and  "rejoices  with  those  who  do  re- 
joice." As  a  woman  and  a  wafe  she  was  chaste,  modest, 
blameless;  as  a  mother  (above  all  the  women  in  the 
world  would  1  claim  her  for  my  own)  ardently  affec- 
tionate ;  as  a  "mother  in  Israel"  few  of  her  sex  have  done 
more  by  a  holy  walk  to  live,  and  by  personal  labor  to 
support,  the  gospel,  and  to  wash  the  saints'  feet ;  as  a 
friend,  she  was  generous,  true,  and  constant.  Elizabeth 
Asbury  died  January  6,  1802,  aged  eighty-seven  or  eighty- 
eight  years.  There  is  now,  after  fifty  years,  a  chapel 
w^ithin  two  or  three  hundred  yards  of  her  dwelling.  I 
am  now^  often  drawn  out  in  thankfulness  to  God,  who 
hath  saved  a  mother  of  mine,  and,  I  trust,  a  father  also, 
who  are  already  in  glory,  where  I  hope  to  meet  them  both, 
after  time  and  cares  and  sorrows  shall  have  ceased  with 
me,  and  where  glory  shall  not  only  beam,  but  open  on 
my  soul  forever.    Amen,  and  amen. 

Asbtiry's  Fidelity  to  the  Poor 

Apr.  7.  I  came  to  Perry  Hall.  We  cannot  spend 
more  time  with  the  rich  than  with  the  poor ;  so,  being 
warned  by  a  very  fine  day,  we  started,  stopped  to  dine 
with  the  widow^  Stump,  at  Bush,  and  in  the  evening 
reached  Northeast. 

Apr.  13.  We  had  a  rainy  day,  but  we  attended  the 
house  of  God,  noon  and  night.  Our  brethren  in  this 
town  (Chester)  are  about  to  build.  By  a  train  of  strange 
persons,  providences,  and  things,  they  have  a  place  in 
the  public  square,  where  the  market  house  stood.  The 
chapel  will  be  in  a  line  with  the  Episcopal  church. 

Apr.  17.  At  Henry  Ennall's  I  spoke  on  Psa.  145.  8-10. 
I  have  now  ridden,  I  suppose,  three  thousand  miles  since 
my  departure  from  Philadelphia  on  the  last  of  July,  1801. 

May  I  (Philadelphia).  Our  Conference  opened.  We 
had  an  increase  of  probationers.     In  two  sittings  we  did 


5o6 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1802 


not  get  through  the  first  question,  Who  are  admitted 
upon  trial  ?  We  appointed  a  committee  of  five  to  manage 
the  temporal  concerns,  and  recommended  a  day  of  fast- 


THE    GERMAN    CHURCH,    BALTIMORE. 

Where  Asbury's  friend,  Rev.  Philip  Otterbein,  ministered,  and  where 
Pilmoor  "  joined  together"  the  first  Methodist  class  in  Baltimore,  June 
22,  1772. 

ing  and  prayer  to  be  observed  on  the  fourth  of  May,  for 
the  Conference,  the  church  in  general,  and  the  continent 
at  large.  By  a  hasty  calculation  I  find  I  have  ridden 
three  thousand  three  hundred  and  three  miles,  from  and 
returning  to  Philadelphia.  To  my  happy  surprise, 
George  Roberts  and  John  McClaskey  came  forward  and 
moved  that  the  brethren  of  the  city  who  had  bought  the 
academy  should  have  the  ofi^er  of  a  preacher.  The  Con- 
ference at  once  agreed  that  the  superintendents  of  the 
Methodists  of  the  United  States  should  make  them  an 
overture  upon  the  best  terms  ;  there  was  but  one  dissenting 
voice.  We  had  great  peace  throughout  the  sitting,  al- 
though there  were  many  things  to  occupy  our  thoughts : 
my  mind  was  taken  up  in  entering  the  minutes,  and  in 
making  needful  changes.     After  voting  the  next  sitting 


i8o2]  SUDDEN  CHOICE  OF  TEXT  507 

of  our  Conference  at  Duck  Creek  we  rose  on  Thursday, 
the  sixth  instant. 

May  II.  We  rode  to  Henry  h'rith's  and  (Hned,  after 
which  we  attended  our  appointment  at  Salem.  My  mind 
here  was  overruled  on  my  suhject.  I  made  a  sudden 
choice,  while  I  was  sin_^ing  a  hymn,  of  i  Cor.  7.  29-31. 
We  had  many  serious  people  at  Salem.  We  returned 
to  Henry  Frith's,  and  lodged  there. 

Varied  Experiences 

May  17.  Through  heavy,  continued  rain  we  came  on 
to  Cross  Wrecks.  We  dined  with  Mr.  Lovell,  and,  after 
drying  our  clothes,  ahout  two  o'clock  went  to  the  meet- 
inghouse. Here  we  found  a  fire  and  a  stove,  and  warmth 
and  comfort.  How  different  this  from  visiting  an  open 
house  in  the  woods,  with  wind  and  rain  heating  upon 
you,  and  sitting  in  your  damp  dress  and  a  damp  house 
for  three  hours,  after  which  you  are  to  ride  five  or  ten 
miles  to  a  bad  lodging,  where  you  are  to  dry  yourself 
and  find  comfort  if  you  can  ! 

May  22.  We  came  upon  Staten  Island  at  the  old 
Blazing  Star.  I  called  at  the  mansion  of  Justice  Wright, 
where  I  had  been  entertained,  and  where  I  had  preached 
almost  thirty-one  years  past.  I  was  thankful  to  find 
Mrs.  Wright  happy  in  God,  although  afflicted  in  body. 
Here  I  saw  the  third  generation  rising  into  accountabil- 
ity:  we  prayed,  and  were  comforted  together.  We  housed 
for  the  night  with  Joseph  Totten,  upon  the  south  side. 

May  23.  N.  Snethen,  who  had  been" on  a  visit  home, 
came  up  with  us  to-day.  I  had  an  opportunity  of  reading 
his  answer  to  Mr.  OTxelly's  Rejoinder  to  his,  N.  Sneth- 
en's.  Reply.  While  at  Milford  I  read  the  inscription 
on  the  gravestone  of  Ann  Hutchinson,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Simpson.  She  was  born  upon  Long  Island, 
and  married  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  state  of  New 
Jersey.     She  was  the  mother  of  thirteen  children,  and 


5o8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1802 

the  great-great-grandmothcr  of  upward  of  three  hun- 
dred children ;  she  died,  aged  a  hundred  and  one  years, 
nine  months,  and  seven  days,  in  January,  1801.  About 
eighty  she  in  a  great  degree  lost  her  sight — about  ninety 
it  returned ;  her  hair  changed  a  few'  years  ago  from  white 
to  a  dark  brown.  I  have  seen  her,  and  conversed  with 
her ;  at  this  advanced  age  she  did  not  appear  to  be  weary 
of  the  world.     At  the  longest  life  is  short. 

Thomas  Morrell  Marries 

May  24  (Elizabethtown ).  Wonders  will  never  cease. 
Nothing  would  serve  but  I  must  marry  Thomas  IMorrell 
to  a  young  woman.  Such  a  solitary  wedding,  T  suppose, 
has  been  but  seldom  seen.  Behold  Father  Morrell,  sev- 
enty-five ;  Father  Whatcoat,  sixty-six ;  Francis  Asbury, 
fifty-seven,  and  the  ceremony  performed,  solemnly,  at 
the  solemn  hour  of  ten  at  night ! 

May  25  (New  York).  We  came  to  New  York,  and 
took  up  our  lodging  at  Mr.  Suckley's.  We  advanced 
toward  the  completion  of  four  thousand  miles  for  the 
present  year.  I  have  had  great  exercises  in  going  through 
rain  and  continual  labor,  but  have  been  blessed  with 
great  peace  by  my  good  and  gracious  God.  My  first 
public  exercise  in  the  city  was  in  an  African  church,  a 
very  neat  wooden  house,  but  by  far  too  small.  My  text 
was  Eph.  2.  11-14. 

Death  of  Sarah  Hutchinson 

May  30.  After  Bishop  Whatcoat  had  preached  I  read 
letters  respecting  the  great  revival  of  religion,  westward 
and  southward.  The  death  of  Sarah  Hutchinson  gave 
occasion  to  my  preaching  her  funeral  sermon  at  the  Bow- 
ery church  in  the  afternoon.  The  deceased  was  the 
daughter  of  Frederick  Devcau,  whose  house  and  family, 
in  New  Rochelle,  were  the  first  to  receive  and  welcome 
the  Methodist  preachers  ;  and  thus  became  the  gate  by 


i8o2]  HAPPY  DEATH  509 

which  wc  have  had  such  an  alnindant  and  permanent 
entrance  into  the  state  of  New  York.  After  sitting  un- 
der the  ministry  of  the  gospel  ahove  thirty  years,  the  saint, 
as  I  was  informed  l)y  her  sister,  Hester  Wilson,  died 
very  happy  in  God. 

June  i.  We  opened  our  yearly  Conference  in  John 
Street  meetinghouse,  and  continued  our  lahors  in  great 
.peace  and  union.  We  have  a  large  admission  of  preach- 
ers upon  trial  as  travelers.  At  this  Conference  there  are 
twenty-two,  and  in  six  Conferences  sixty-three. 

June  5.  We  had  a  day  of  solemn  fasting  and  prayer 
for  the  church,  the  Conference,  the  continent,  and  for 
the  world ;  upon  the  eve  of  which  I  preached  from  2  Cor. 
2.  14,  15,  with  great  plainness,  and  so  much  fire  as  made 
my  earthly  tahernaclc  very  restless  through  the  night. 

Collection  for  the  Preachers 

June  6.  We  had  a  love  feast  at  eight  o'clock,  preach- 
ing at  ten  o'clock,  and  sacrament  at  twelve  o'clock.  Some 
good  shakings  went  through  the  house,  but  there  was 
nothing  very  signal.  The  collection  for  the  preachers 
gave  occasion  to  a  sermon,  which  I  must  needs  preach ; 
it  was  done  upon  i  Cor.  16.  14.  I  attended,  and  read 
a  letter  at  the  Bowery  church,  where  a  collection  for  the 
same  purpose  was  also  made.  At  six  o'clock  I  preached 
in  the  North  River  church,  on  Luke  11.  13,  and  so  we 
closed  our  labors  in  the  city.  But  instead  of  a  page  it 
would  require  a  volume  to  tell  the  restless  tossings  I 
have  had,  the  difficulties  and  anxieties  I  have  felt  about 
preachers  and  people,  here  and  elsewhere,  alternate  joy 
and  sorrow,  but  I  have  been  supported.  I  am  done ;  I 
am  gone.     New  York,  once  more,  farewell ! 

Asbtiry's  Love  of  Nature 

June  7.  As  it  appeared  to  be  the  wish  and  will  of  this 
Conference   that   I   should   be  at   that   of   Monmouth,   I 


Sio 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1802 


desired  N.  Snetlien  to  go  upon  my  appointments.  How 
sweet  to  me  are  all  the  moving  and  still-life  scenes  which 
now  surround  me  on  every  side !  The  quiet  country 
houses,  the  fields  and  orchards,  bearing  the  promise  of 
the  fruitful  year,  the  flocks  and  herds,  the  hills  and  vales, 
and  dewy  meads,  the  gliding  streams  and  murmuring 
brooks !  And  thou,  too,  solitude,  with  thy  attendants, 
silence  and  meditation,  how  dost  thou  solace  my  pensive 
mind  after  the   tempest  of  fear,  and  care,  and  tumult, 


DUANE  STREET  CHURCH  AND  PARSONAGE,  NEW  YORK,  1 797- 

Corner-stone  laid  by  the  Rev.  George  Roberts,  June  29,  1797.    Origi- 
nally called  "  North  River"  or  "  Hudson  "  Church. 


and  talk,  experienced  in  the  noisy,  bustling  city  !  "Where 
will  they  send  me?  To  Hampshire,  to  Rhode  Island, 
to  Connecticut,  to  Canada?"  One  preacher  wishes  to  go 
where  another  dreads  to  be  sent,  and  smiles  at  the  fears 
of  his  more  timid  brother,  "But,"  say  the  citizens,  "how 
shall  zve  be  supplied?  Such  a  one  will  be  too  strict,  and 
may  put  us  out  of  order ;  a  second  will  not  keep  the  con- 
gregations together,  and  our  collections  will  not  be  made ; 


iSo2]  EXCESSIVE  KINDNESS  511 

a  tliird  will  not  ]:)lcasc,  l)ecausc  he  is  not  a  lively  preacher, 
and  we  want  a  revival  of  religion."  Ah !  the  half  is  not 
told  of  the  passions,  parties,  hopes,  and  fears  among  the 
best  of  men,  through  ignorance  and  mistake.  This,  at 
least,  may  be  said  of  the  Methodists  of  New  York,  they 
are  righteous  overmuch  in  their  kindness  to  their  friends. 

Yale  Students  Under  Conviction 

June  12.  With  the  kind  family  of  Mr.  Jocelin  we 
rested  two  hoiu's  in  New  Haven.  I  was  pleased  to  hear 
that  the  students  of  Yale  College,  as  many  as  ninety  or 
one  hundred,  had  been  under  gracious  impressions.  They 
would  come  to  hear  the  Methodists,  and  like  other  very 
genteel  people,  mock  and  deride ;  but  God  struck  some 
of  the  vilest  of  them  by  the  ministry  of  Samuel  Merwin. 
This  may  be  denied,  but  it  is  known  to  God,  and  to  their 
own  consciences. 

June  17.  We  had  a  pleasant  ride  to  Norwich.  Be- 
hold, the  temi)le  hath  been  burnt  down,  and  more  ele- 
gantly rebuilt  since  I  was  here.  Thus  have  they  made 
a  benefit  of  a  calamity.  Bishop  Whatcoat  preached  upon 
"Christ's   love    for   the   church." 

June  20  (Rhode  Island).  I  opened  the  meeting  at 
half  past  ten  o'clock :  then  followed  the  ordination,  then 
the  sacrament ;  after  which  Brother  Whatcoat  preached 
upon  Eph.  3.  8.  My  subject  was  2  Cor.  3.  11,  12. 
In  my  improvement  I  showed  the  character  and 
offices  of  ]\Ioses  compared  with  Christ ;  the  glory  of 
Moses  and  the  superior  glory  of  Christ ;  the  letter  and 
spirit  of  the  law,  the  letter  and  spirit  of  the  gospel ;  and 
I  dwelt  largely  upon  the  latter.  Plainness  of  speech, 
simple  and  searching ;  pointed  to  every  case  and  charac- 
ter. My  work  was  imperfect ;  I  had  not  time,  and  per- 
haps not  skill,  to  finish  and  properly  apply  so  great  a 
subject. 

Junk  21.     W^e  dined  at  Mr.  Turpin's,  in  Providence, 


512  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1802 

and  came  on  to  Joseph  Guild's,  in  Attleboro,  making  a 
journey  of  about  twenty-six  miles.  Next  day,  after  a 
heavy,  hungry,  weary,  dusty  ride,  we  reached   Boston. 

1  closed  the  labors  of  the  day  by  a  sermon  from  First 
Peter,  and  had  two  Baptist  and  three  Methodist  preachers 
to  hear  me.    We  had  a  moving  time  together. 

Prejudices  of  the  People 

June  27.  We  had  a  love  feast  at  Jemima  Eaton's, 
a  sermon  at  the  meetinghouse,  and  administered  the 
sacrament.  I  spoke  on  Zech.  12.  10,  Brother  Whatcoat 
in  the  afternoon  from  2  Cor.  5.  20.  Joshua  Taylor 
preached  in  the  evening.  It  was  hard  labor,  and  by  no 
means  agreeable  to  me  to  preach  in  other  people's  houses ; 
to  which  I  may  add  that  I  was  under  bodily  and  spiritual 
infirmity.  It  is  our  duty  to  suffer  and  to  serve.  We  feel 
the  prejudices  of  the  people.  They  may  think  we  wish 
to  invade  their  rights,  but  they  are  mistaken,  for  I  would 
rather  preach  under  a  tree. 

June  28.  We  came  away  in  haste  to  Greenland, 
breakfasted,  resumed  our  journey,  passing  through  Ber- 
wick, and  brought  up  at  Deacon  Clarke's,  in  Wells.  And 
thus  one  day's  ride  of  fifty-one  miles  brought  us  across 
the  state  of  New  Hampshire. 

June  29.  We  stopped  at  Falmouth,  in  the  District  of 
Maine,  and  within  sight  of  Portland.  Although  we  rode 
thirty  miles  i  was  obliged  to  preach,  my  subject  being 

2  Tim.  4.  7. 

July  i.  Our  Conference  continued  three  days.  We 
held  it  in  the  upper  room  of  Sewell  Prescott's  house. 
We  had  fifteen  members  and  nine  probationers.  The 
married  preachers  who  came  deficient  to  our  Conference 
received  about  $120,  the  single  brethren  about  $62,  and 
the  probationers  a  small  donation  of  $2  each,  which  came 
from  far.  We  had  three  sermons.  The  whole  of  my 
doing  was  to  read  two  letters,  exhort  a  little,  and  exam- 


i8o2]  ZEALOUS  YOUNG  MEN  513 

inc  the  deacons,  Samuel  Hillnian,  John  Gove,  Gilman 
Moody,  and  Joseph  Baker,  whom  Brother  Whatcoat 
ordained.  The  business  of  our  Conference  was  con- 
ducted in  great  peace  and  order.  I  can  rejoice  that  by 
supplies  from  Baltimore  and  New  York  Conferences, 
added  to  those  of  the  District  of  Maine  and  of  Boston, 
we  have  a.  goodly  number  of  faithful,  zealous  young 
men.  In  seven  Conferences  we  have  taken  upon  trial 
sixty-seven  probationers,  which  is  a  hopeful  token. 

Ordination  of  Elders 

July  4.  We  concluded  with  a  love  feast,  sacrament, 
and  the  ordination  of  five  elders,  to  wit :  Comfort  Smith, 
Epaphras  Kibby,  Daniel  Webb,  Asa  Heath,  and  Reuben 
Hubbard.  They  kneeled  outside  at  the  door  of  the  house, 
and  received  the  imposition  of  hands  from  myself  and 
the  elders  present.  May  they  open  the  door  of  the  church 
of  God  in  discipline,  and  the  way  to  heaven,  by  preaching 
the  gospel !  Five  sermons  were  preached  through  the 
day.  The  women  chiefly  occupied  the  inside,  while  the 
men  stood  without.  Of  the  multitude  congregated  on 
the  occasion,  allowed  to  be  between  two  and  three  thou- 
sand, we  hope  many  went  away  profited. 

July  ii.  I  feel  that  fasting  at  my  time  of  life,  if  only 
once  a  month,  brings  on  such  a  dejection  of  spirits  I  can 
hardly  bear  up  under  it.  I  have  had  lately  two  official 
cordials,  ironically  speaking.  They  know  how  to  come 
at  me,  although  four  or  five  hundred  miles  distant.  Why 
will  they  thus  seek  me  out? 

July  12.  We  came  through  Needham.  George  Pick- 
ering stopped  to  demand  the  church  rates  taken  from  the 
Methodists,  amounting  to  $100  or  upward.  This  is  to 
pay  the  Independent  ministers,  whose  forefathers  fled 
from  Episcopal  tyranny ;  yet,  be  it  known  unto  all  men, 
their  chitdren's  children  are  risen  up  and  glory  in  sup- 
porting the   gospel   according   to   law.      Happy   the   de- 


514  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1802 

scendants  who  condemn  not  themselves  hy  doing  that 
which  their  ancestors  disahowed !  We  lodged  at  Mr. 
Sterne's,  at  Milford. 

July  13.  We  came  upon  the  turnpike  road  through 
to  Thompson.  I  was  told  that  Mr.  Dow,  an  Independent 
minister,  had  relinquished  his  legal  claim  of  salary,  trust- 
ing to  the  willing  minds  of  the  puhlic,  who  gave  him 
more  by  voluntary  subscription. 

July  19.  From  the  eastern  to  the  western  line  of  Con- 
necticut, that  is,  from  Thompson  to  Sharon,  I  calculate 
the  distance  to  be  one  hundred  and  thirty  luiles.  At 
Rhinebeck  I  make  up  four  thousand  miles,  and  have  one 
hundred  in  advance  toward  the  fifth  thousand  I  shall 
have  made  since  the  last  of  July,  1801.  Of  the  little 
time  we  have,  may  be  judged  by  the  length  of  our  rides, 
day  after  day ;  yet,  at  this  speed  must  I  go  to  meet  the 
Conferences,  and  visit  the  principal  societies. 

Traveler's  Rest 

July  20.  We  rested  at  Traveler's  Rest,  upon  the 
solitary  banks  of  Hudson,  with  my  dear  friends  Free- 
born Garrettson  and  his  prudent,  pious  wife. 

July  21.  I  preached  upon  2  Cor.  4.  7.  It  was  an 
ordination  sermon  at  the  setting  apart  of  Billy  Hibbard 
to  the  office  of  an  elder.  It  is  exceeding  warm,  and  the 
zenith  of  harvest,  yet  we  had  a  congregation. 

"  Here  I  saw  for  the  first  time  the  excellent  but  eccentric 
Billy  Hibbard.  When  the  roll  was  called  the  secretary  read 
the  name  'William  Hibbard.'  There  was  no  response,  and 
Bishop  McKendree  said,  '  Brother  Hibbard,  why  don't  you 
answer  to  your  name  and  not  keep  the  Conference  waiting?' 
'I  will,'  said  Mr.  Hibbard,  'when  he  calls  my  name.'  'Is 
not  your  name  William?'  'No,  sir.'  'What  is  it?'  said 
the  bishop.  'Billy,'  was  the  answer.  'Billy!'  said  the 
bishop,  with  great  emphasis ;  'that  is  a  little  boy's  name.'  'I 
know  it  is,'  said  Mr.  Hibbard,  'I  was  a  very  little  boy  when 
my  father  gave  it  me.'  Then  the  Conference  was  convulsed 
with  laughter." — Boehm. 


iSo2]     .  OVER  THE  HILLS  515 

July  22.  I  had  to  tear  myself  away  from  these 
precious  souls.  I  do  believe  God  dwells  in  this  house 
(Traveler's  Rest).  After  feeding-  at  brother  Warren's, 
we  made  another  push  over  the  hills  to  Peekskill,  and 
came  to  Governor  \'an  Cortlandt's.  I  have  received 
great  kindness  from  this  family. 

July  24.  I  came  into  New  York  about  two  o'clock. 
I  have  received  a  confirmation  of  the  death  of  my  mother, 
who  died  January  6,  1802.  Of  the  particulars  of  her 
last  moments  I  have  received  no  certain  accovmt ;  but  I 
learn  that  a  certain  Mr.  Emery  has  taken  all  her 
property. 

Aug.  4.  I  crossed  the  Susquehanna,  dined  with  Mr. 
.Smith,  and  reached  Perry  Hall  in  the  evening-.  I  have 
one  day  I  can  call  my  own.  I  write,  I  read,  I  think,  and 
refit  for  the  mountains.  My  trials,  which  come  from  al- 
most ever}-  point  of  the  compass,  shall  be  as  various 
winds  to  waft  me  to  the  haven  of  rest. 

Aug.  15.  At  Fredericktown  1  once  more  spoke.  My 
subject  was  i  Cor.  i.  2;^,  24.  Here  then,  at  last,  after 
more  than  thirty  years'  labor,  wc  have  a  house  of  wor- 
ship, and  thirty  souls,  or  upward,  in  fellowship. 

Aug.  17.  We  came  through  heat,  and  over  the  hills, 
to  Sheppards,  Mrginia.  After  thirty  years'  occasional 
preaching  in  this  place,  we  have  a  small  society ;  and  by 
the  purchase  of  an  old  academy,  a  church,  with  two 
chimneys  in  it,  and  other  good  features. 

Asbury's  Calls  on  O'Kelly 

Aug.  22.  'Sir.  O'Kelly  having-  been  taken  ill  in  town 
(Winchester,  A'irginia).  I  sent  two  of  our  brethren, 
Reed  and  Walls,  to  see  him,  by  whom  I  signified  to  him 
that  if  he  wished  to  see  me  I  would  wait  on  him.  He 
desired  a  visit,  which  I  made  him  the  next  day.  We  met 
in  peace,  asked  of  each  other's  welfare,  talked  of  persons 
and    tilings   indifTcrentl}-,   prayed,   and   parted    in   peace. 


Si6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1802 

Not  a  word  was  said  of  the  troubles  of  former  times. 
Perhaps  this  is  the  last  interview  we  shall  have  upon 
earth. 

Sept.  i.  We  lodged  at  David  McNare's ;  and  next 
day  came  over  the  hills,  crossing  the  branches  of  the 
Shenandoah,  to  Brownsburg.  Night  coming  upon  us, 
we  turned  aside  to  lodge  at  Andrew  Weir's,  and  were 
kindly  and  comfortably  entertained. 

Visits  the  Natural  Bridge 

Sept.  3.  We  passed  through  Lexington,  and  being  so 
near  I  was  willing  to  gratify  my  curiosity  by  a  view  of 
the  Natural  Bridge.  I  walked  down  the  hill  to  look  at 
the  arch  thrown,  in  a  regular  ellipsis,  about  one  hundred 
and  sixtv  feet  above  a  stream,  which,  in  the  rainy  season, 
foams  and  roars  beneath.  The  breadth  of  the  bridge 
n^.av  be  sixty  feet,  and  the  distance  one  hundred  and 
sixtv  feet  across.  On  one  side  of  the  road,  at  the  south- 
east end,  large  trees  are  growing.  Should  I  live  two 
years  longer  I  may  preach  under  the  arch. 

Sept.  5.  I  preached  upon  Matt.  25.  34-37.  My  mean- 
ing upon  the  text  was  to  show:  i.  The  blessedness  of 
the  people  of  God.  as  subjects  of  the  kingdom  of  grace 
and  glory ;  2.  The  evidences  of  their  being  blessed  to 
others,  in  feeding  the  hungry,  clothing  the  naked,  in  a 
hospitable  reception  of  the  stranger,  visiting  prisoners 
and  the  sick,  doing  good  to  their  souls  as  well  as  their 
bodies;  and  when  the  subjects  of  this  love  and  mercy 
and  benevolence  are  pious,  persecuted  saints,  the  children 
of  God  would  not  hesitate  to  take  them  into  their  houses, 
or  visit  them  in  their  distress,  although  this  labor  of  love 
might  subject  themselves  to  persecution  and  death.  It 
was  observed  that  it  was  not  national  fellow-feeling,  the 
hospitality  of  politeness,  nor  family  attachments,  no,  nor 
yet  the  more  pure,  though  too  partial  affection  which  one 
religious  society  may  feel  for  another,  which  may  be  tlie 


i8o2]  ILL  AGAIN  517 

motive  ;  it  is  because  they  are  the  suffering-  members  of 
their  common  Lord — "Ye  have  done  it  unto  me."  The 
meeting-  continued  four  hours.  I  lodged  at  Edward 
Mitchell's.  I  drew  a  plan  of  a  house  forty  feet  long, 
thirty  feet  wide,  and  two  stories  high,  of  brick,  to  be 
built  in  Fincastle.  Two  thirds  of  the  money  must  be 
collected  before  we  begin.  This,  like  many  more  of  my 
good  designs,  may  come  to  naught. 

Sept.  ii.  I  rode  to  the  Salt  Worl<s,  perhaps  for  the 
last  time.  Alas  !  there  is  little  salt  here,  and  when  Sister 
Russell  is  gone,  will  there  be  any  left?  But,  a  few  miles 
from  the  works,  up  the  middle  ridge,  they  have  built  a 
meetinghouse,  and  there  is  a  revival  of  religion.  I  make 
my  calculation  upon  four  thousand  nine  hundred  miles, 
from  July  30,  1801,  to  this  day.  If  a  living  man  and  a 
Christian  might  dare  to  complain — . 

Oct.  2.  We  rode  forward  to  Station  Camp,  and  found 
the  Conference  seated.  By  this  time  my  stomach  and 
speech  were  pretty  well  gone.  I  applied  to  Mr.  William 
Hodge,  and  to  Mr.  William  McGee,  Presbyterian  minis- 
ters, to  supply  my  lack  of  public  service,  which  they  did 
with  great  fervency  and  fidelit}-.  I  was  able  to  ordain, 
by  employing  Brother  McKendree  to  examine  those  who 
were  presented,  and  to  station  the  preachers,  I  hope  for 
the  glory  of  God,  the  benefit  of  the  people,  and  the  ad- 
vantage of  the  preachers. 

An  Extraordinary  Accident 

Oct.  19.  After  riding  fifty  miles,  a  part  of  ninety- 
three  miles  in  two  days,  we  came  about  eight  o'clock  to 
West  Point.  An  accident,  extraordinary  in  the  manner, 
and  desperate  in  the  effect,  happened  to  me.  At  a  rocky 
run,  in  attempting  to  dismount,  my  horse  gave  a  sudden 
turn,  and  swung  me  against  the  rocks  in  the  stream.  The 
rude  shock  to  my  tender  feet  made  me  roar  bitterly.  My 
horse  was  low  before,  tender-footed,  and  tired,  the  hills 


5i8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1802 

were  steep  and  rugged,  and  I  was  sore  by  riding.  These 
circumstances  combined  caused  so  much  pain  that  when 
we  came  on  Wednesday  to  the  Grassy  Valley  I  cast 
anchor,  with  a  determination  to  give  up  Georgia,  and  go 
by  a  straight  line  to  Camden  Conference,  to  be  held 
January  i,  1803.  I  sent  word  to  James  Douthet  to  ex- 
plain to  the  elders  of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina  my 
situation.  I  also  dispatched  John  Watson  to  meet 
Brother  Snethen,  and  give  him  my  plan  to  fulfill  the  ap- 
pointments in  Georgia ;  but,  behold,  Brother  Snethen  had 
had  a  fall  from  his  horse,  and  was  left  lame  upon  the 
road !  I  have  been  sick  for  twenty-three  days ;  ah !  the 
tale  of  woe  I  might  relate.  My  dear  McKendree  had  to 
lift  me  up  and  down  from  my  horse,  like  a  helpless  child. 
For  my  sickness  and  sufferings  I  conceive  I  am  indebted 
to  sleeping  uncovered  in  the  wilderness.  I  passed  so 
quickly  along  that  many  people  scarcely  more  than  beheld 
me  with  their  eyes,  yet  these  were  witness  to  my  groans. 
I  could  not  have  slept  but  for  the  aid  of  laudanum. 
Meantime,  my  spirits  and  patience  were  wonderfully 
preserved  in  general,  although  I  was  sometimes  hardly 
restrained  from  crying,  "Lord,  let  me  die!"  for  death 
hath  no  terrors,  and  I  could  not  but  reflect  upon  my  es- 
cape from  the  toil  and  sufferings  of  another  year.  I  had 
no  sad  forebodings  of  the  ills  which  might  befall  the 
church — it  is  the  Lord's,  not  mine ;  nor  was  I  anxious 
about  father  or  mother — they,  I  trust,  are  in  the  paradise 
of  God ;  nor  did  I  say  to  myself,  what  will  become  of 
wife  and  children — these  I  have  not.  But  what  am  I  to 
learn  from  these  ills  and  aches? — "these  are  counselors 
that  feelingly  persuade  me  what  I  am."  I  am  no  longer 
young;  I  cannot  go  out  as  at  other  times.  I  must  take 
the  advice  of  friends  who  say,  "Spare  thyself."  I  have 
ridden  about  five  thousand  five  hundred  miles ;  and  in  the 
midst  of  all  I  am  comforted  with  the  prospects  of  the 
Western   Conference.     We  have  added  three   thousand 


i8o2]  ANOTHER  MISSIONARY  519 

mcnihcrs  this  year,  liavc  formed  C'nniberland  into  a  dis- 
trict, and  have  sent  a  missionary  to  Natchez. 

Sermon  on  Baptism 

Nov.  20.  I  gave  a  sermon  at  John  Wilson's,  in  which 
I  treated  largely  on  the  right  of  persons  who  were  awak- 
ened to  receive  baptism,  and  also  upon  the  claim  of  in- 
fants to  this  holy  rite  of  the  church. 

Nov.  21.  At  Salem,  upon  the  Saluda,  I  preached 
upon  Matt.  28.  19,  20.  It  was  considered,  i.  Who  were 
to  be  taught — all,  of  all  nations ;  what  these  were  to  be 
taught — to  experience,  to  do,  and  to  suffer;  2.  Who  were 
to  be  baptized — men,  women,  children,  and  infants ;  the 
form  of  the  rite — in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  the  reasons  why,  it  might 
be  presumed,  this  form  of  words  was  given — because  in 
this  solemn  exposition  of  the  eternal  Trinity  in  eternal 
unity  is  shown  the  relations  which  the  Godhead  in  the 
three  persons  bear  to  our  creation,  redemption,  and 
spiritual  baptism,  of  which  the  rite  is  only  the  outward 
and  visible  sign.  The  claim  of  children,  it  was  stated, 
arose  out  of  the  general  love  and  benevolence  of  God, 
and  the  general  and  universal  influences  of  the  Spirit. 
Baptism,  it  was  observed,  was  taken  from  the  apostles, 
and  practiced  in  all  the  primitive  and  in  all  the  first  re- 
formed churches  throughout  the  world.  3.  I  tried  to 
explain  the  nature  and  the  importance  of  the  precious 
promise,  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end 
of  the  world." 

Ordination  Sermon 

Dec.  12.  I  was  called  upon  by  recommendation  to 
ordain  Stephen  Shell,  John  Wallis,  and  David  Owen  to 
the  office  of  deacons.  There  were  seven  of  us  present 
who  minister  in  holy  things.  My  subject  was  2  Tim. 
4.    I,  2:    "I  charge  thee  therefore  before  God,  and  the 


520  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1802 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  judge  the  quick  and  the 
dead  at  his  appearing  and  his  kingdom  ;  preach  the  word  ; 
be  instant  in  season,  out  of  season ;  reprove,  rebuke, 
exhort  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine." 

Dec.  14.  I  preached  at  Robert  Walker's,  upon  Phil. 
2.  12,  13.  I  inverted  the  order  of  the  text:  i.  It  is  Clod 
who  worketh  in  the  hearts  of  sinners,  seekers,  and  be- 
lievers, "to  will  and  to  do  of  his  own  good  pleasure," 
which  is  their  personal,  present,  future,  and  eternal  sal- 
vation (see  Ezek.  33.  2;  Luke  12.  2^2;  Heb.  10.  38); 
2.  That  all  who  desire  this  salvation  should  be  active  in 
penitence,  faith,  and  regeneration,  using  every  means  of 
grace,  and  performing  every  duty  connected  with  holi- 
ness here,  and  preparatory  to  heaven  hereafter. 

Seeks  Solitude 

Dec.  20.  I  rode  down  to  James  Rembcrt's  upon  the 
head  of  Black  River.  I  came  here  that  I  might  enjoy  a 
little  solitude,  and  find  time  to  answer  my  Northern  let- 
ters. Lentil  Friday  evening  I  was  pretty  well  occupied  in 
writing. 

Christmas  Day.  I  preached  at  Rembert's  Chapel, 
and  on  Sunday  James  Patterson  spoke  on,  "Enoch 
walked  with  God."  There  is  a  great  change  in  this  set- 
tlement. Whenever  our  preachers  gain  the  confidence 
of  the  lowland  planters,  if  indeed  that  time  shall  ever  be, 
so  that  the  masters  will  give  us  all  the  liberty  we  ought 
to  have,  there  will  be  thousands  of  the  poor  slaves  con- 
verted to  God.  The  patient  must  be  personally  visited  by 
the  physician  before  advice  and  medicine  will  be  proper ; 
and  so  it  is,  and  must  ever  be,  with  the  sin-sick  soul  and 
the  spiritual  physician.  Letters  from  the  North  announce 
very  pleasing  intelligence  of  a  great  work  of  God  in 
Maryland  and  in  parts  of  Virginia. 

Dec.  30.  Rode  to  Camden.  On  Friday  I  read  in  pub- 
lic some  letters  narrative  of  the  work  of  God. 


1803J  DISPATCHES  LETTERS  521 

Jan.  6,  1803.  I  wrote  three  larji^e  letters  to  the  North, 
and  put  myself  in  order  for  traveling.  From  Saturday 
until  Wednesday  the  time  was  spent  in  Conference,  and 
in  puhlic  exercises.  We  had  preaching  every  noon  and 
evening.  Seven  elders  and  four  deacons  were  ordained. 
Of  preachers,  two  were  admitted,  one  had  located,  none 
had  died,  and  none  was  expelled.  We  had  great  peace 
and  union  in  our  labors,  two  days  of  which  were  directed 
to  the  explanation  and  recommendation  of  discipline,  as 
it  respects  the  order  of  the  church.  We  have  added,  in 
this  Conference,  three  thousand  three  hundred  and 
seventy-one  to  our  number. 

Feb.  I  (North  Carolina).  I  preached  upon  the  glo- 
rious subject  of  Christian  perfection.  My  text  I  found 
in  Heb.  6.  i.  Next  day  we  had  a  rainy  ride  of  fifteen 
miles  to  Lumberton,  which  I  had  not  visited  for  some 
years.  I  was  present  at  its  foundation  and  nomination. 
There  are  now,  I  suppose,  about  tw^enty  families,  and  a 
hundred  buildings ;  an  academy,  which  serves  also  as  a 
church ;  a  very  good  prison,  and  a  courthouse.  Its 
property  is  much  owing  to  the  navigation  of  Drowning 
Creek,  down  which  lumber  and  other  articles  are  con- 
'veyed  to  Georgetown,  and  thence  frequently  the  mer- 
chandise is  sent  to  Charleston.  N.  Snethen  preached,  I 
only  exhorted.  Presbyterian  ministers.  Brown  and 
McNare,  attended.  I  had  a  Christian  interview  with 
them,  and  I  learned,  with  pleasure,  that  their  labors  had 
been  owned  and  blessed  among  the  Scotch  Presbyterians. 

More  Laborers  Needed 

Feh.  8.  I  sometimes  smile  at  the  simplicity  of  our 
friends.  They  would  love  us  to  death,  in  company  and 
in  labors.  They  cannot  do  too  much,  it  would  seem,  to 
express  their  kindness,  and  in  return,  we  are  to  be  such 
immortal  men  as  never  to  be  weary,  and  never  to  com- 
plain.    I  feel  for  this  circuit,  having  ridden  through  it. 


522  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

They  have  need  of  three  preachers  at  least.  At  the  Lake 
chapel  N.  Snethen  preached :  we  concluded  with  prayer. 
On  Friday  we  had  a  long  ride  to  Livingston  Creek,  cross- 
ing several  swamps  whose  waters  supply  the  lake.  My 
subject  at  Union  Chapel  was  i  Pet.  5.  8.  The  day  was 
cold,  but  we  had  a  full  house,  and  a  feeling  season.  We 
lodged  at  Air.  Browning's.  Next  day  we  rode  twelve 
miles  to  the  ferry,  crossing  in  a  storm,  and  landing  where 
we  could  on  the  deep  bank,  out  of  which  my  mare  strug- 
gled with  difficulty.  At  Wilmington  another  ferry  and 
another  storm  in  crossing  made  our  journey  for  the  day 
unpleasant  enough.  We  arrived,  however,  at  our  own 
house  in  proper  time.  We  found  the  church  ceiled,  and 
the  dwelling  improved.  I  met  the  people  of  color,  lead- 
ers and  stewards.  We  have  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
eight  Africans,  and  a  few  whites  in  fellowship.  The 
Africans  hire  their  time  of  their  masters,  labor  and  grow 
wealthy ;  they  have  built  houses  on  the  church  lots.  I 
hope  to  be  able  to  establish  a  school  for  their  children. 
They  must  be  properly  taught.     It  is  our  duty. 

Feb.  23.  We  rode  twenty-two  miles,  to  Williamston, 
Martin  County.  I  had  not  been  at  this  place  since  Janu- 
arv,  1792.  I  find  here  now  about  twenty  families,  and 
about  forty  buildings.  My  subject  at  the  courthouse  was 
Titus.  I  was  somewhat  surprised  to  see  so  many  called 
together  by  twenty-four  hours'  notice,  and  I  admired  the 
patience  of  the  people,  many  of  whom  were  obliged  to 
stand  in  the  lobby  of  the  coi:rthouse. 

Heavy  Storms 

Feb.  25.  It  rained  and  hailed ;  and  through  the  night 
snowed  heavily,  and  continued  to  fall  on  us  after  we  set 
out  until  we  came  to  Prospect  Hill.  We  fed,  and  went 
on  to  Henry  Bradford's,  twenty-five  miles.  The  snow 
in  places  was  from  eight  to  twelve  inches  deep ;  and  as 
my  horse  was  newly  shod  he  clogged,  and  kept  me  in 


i8o3]  AN  AMICABLE  CONFERENCE  523 

continual  fear.  On  Saturday  I  preached  at  our  host's 
from  2  Pet.  i.  4. 

Feb.  27.  \Vc  came  to  Ilahfax.  The  rich  had  the 
gospel  preached  to  them  In  X.  Snethen.  from  2  Cor. 
5.  15-17;  I  had  to  speak  a  Httle,  and  then  baptized  tlie 
children.  The  res])ectable  sisterhocxl  were  very  atten- 
tive; in  short,  a  more  tlecent,  well-bred  congregation 
need  not  be.  We  dined  at  I).  Fisher's,  who  treated  us  in 
a  most  serious  and  friendly  manner.  By  guess,  I  should 
say  there  were  forty  families  in  Halifax.  We  were  im- 
pressed, as  if  by  magic,  that  the  river  would  rise  rapidly; 
so  we  crossed  at  four  o'clock,  and  rode  twenty  miles,  to 
Seth  Peeble's,  whom  we  called  from  his  downy  bed  to 
take  in  poor  benighted  travelers. 

Mar.  5.  Ended  our  most  amicable  Conference,  which 
began  on  Tuesday.  We  had  preaching  each  day  by  Mc- 
Caine,  Hull,  Lee,  Snethen,  and  myself  on  the  last  day. 
We  ordained  the  traveling  and  local  deacons  upon  Fri- 
day, and  the  elders  upon  Saturday. 

Mar.  6.  N.  Snethen  ]ireached  upon  2  Cor.  4.  17,  18, 
and  I  followed  with  an  exhortation,  and  Brother  What- 
coat  after  me.  Our  stand  was  in  the  woods.  Our  con- 
gregation consisted  of  about  two  thousand  souls.  I  was 
exceedingly  pleased  with  our  Conference  love  feast,  with 
its  order,  solemnity,  and  life.  The  testimonies  borne  ap- 
peared to  be  all  given  under  the  immediate  impulse  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  both  in  ministers  and  members. 
Bishop  Whatcoat  being  ill,  the  burden  of  the  Conference 
labors  fell  upon  me. 

Mar.  II  (Virginia).  I  was  surprised  to  hear  that 
some  who  had  separated  from  us  should  have  reported 
til  at  the  new  meetinghouses  would  belong  to  the  bishops, 
and  that  they  might  sell  them.  These  reports  were 
offered  by  some,  not  of  the  connection,  as  reasons  which 
prevented  their  subscribing,  and  our  brethren  have  there- 
fore determined  to  build  without  the  aid  of  others.    What 


524  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

our  enemies  accuse  us  of  intending  to  do,  tlicy  have  al- 
ready done  in  some  cases,  and  attempted  in  others. 

Methodist  Pioneers 

Mar.  13  (Norfolk).  I  preached  in  the  new  house,  the 
best  in  Virginia  belonging  to  our  society.  The  pulpit  is 
high  zvith  a  zvitiicss,  like  that  awkward  thing  in  Balti- 
more, calculated  for  the  gallery,  and  too  high  for  that. 
My  subject  was  Titus  2.  13,  14.  At  Portsmouth,  in  the 
afternoon,  I  spoke  on  2  Cor.  6.  2.  N.  Snethen  preached 
at  Denby's.  We  had  a  good  passage  over  the  river  at 
Sleepy  Hole  Ferry,  and  came  to  Benjamin  Powell's. 
The  parents  had  gone  to  rest,  but  some  of  the  children 
were  yet  up,  and  took  us  in.  I  felt  solemn  while  I 
looked  upon  this  young  race,  who  make  the  third  genera- 
tion whom  I  have  served.  I  ordained  their  father  to  the 
office  of  deacon,  and  have  preached  to  their  grandfathers, 
Pinner  and  Powell,  who,  with  the  Collinses,  were  the 
three  first  families  that  opened  their  houses  to  the  A'leth- 
odist  preachers  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

Mar.  29.  We  reached  Baltimore,  forty-five  miles, 
stopping  an  hour  on  our  way  at  the  widow  Turner's. 
We  have  traveled  about  three  hundred  miles  toward  eight 
thousand  miles. 

Apr.  12.  The  last  few  days  in  March  were  occupied 
in  reading  and  answering  letters,  and  in  making  prepa- 
rations for  the  Conference.  Its  sitting  commenced  on 
the  first,  continuing  and  ending  in  great  peace.  There 
were  sixty-four  preachers  appointed  to  their  several  sta- 
tions, most  of  whom  were  present  at  the  session.  Except 
four  hours  a  day  for  the  transaction  of  our  own  business, 
our  time  was  given  to  the  duties  of  prayer,  and  the  pul- 
pit. We  w^ere  between  the  mount  and  the  multitude, 
and  the  Conference  and  the  congregations  large,  lively, 
and  serious,  to  whom  we  dispensed  the  Word  of  life  at 
eleven  o'clock,  at  three  o'clock,   and  at  night,  and  we 


iSo3]  PROBLEM  OF  FINANCES  525 

hope  and  trust  much  good  was  done  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus.  My  subjects  were :  on  the  first  Sabbath, 
Col.  4.  2,  3 ;  on  the  second,  Titus  3.  9 ;  at  Fell's  Point, 
Luke  24.  46.  The  reasons  why  I  did  not  speak  oftener 
were :  First,  because  there  were  many  zealous,  acceptable 
preachers  present ;  secondly,  because  I  wished  to  be  a 
man  of  one  business,  and  to  have  my  mind  free ;  and, 
thirdly,  because  I  had  neither  bodily  nor  mental  strength 
to  preside  in  the  Conference,  and  to  take  so  great  a  part 
in  my  particular  duties,  as  its  head ;  to  receive  the  con- 
tinual applications  of  so  many  preachers  on  so  many 
subjects  presented  to  mc  at  this  time;  and  to  fill  my 
place  regularly  in  the  pulpit.  T  paid  no  visits  but  to  the 
sick.  It  is  sufficiently  proved  that  upon  our  present 
plan,  unless  the  preachers  exert  themselves,  every  Con- 
ference in  the  Union,  except  that  of  Baltimore,  will  be 
insolvent  in  its  finances.  In  the  late  and  last  year's  Con- 
ferences they  have  had  a  surplus  here ;  they  have  sup- 
ported wives,  widows,  and  children,  and  in  the  present 
instance  have  supplied  the  contingencies  of  those  preach- 
ers who  have  gone  to  distant  parts,  besides  giving  $100 
to  the  Philadelphia,  and  as  much,  each,  to  the  Confer- 
ences of  New  York  and  Boston.  I  can  say,  hitherto  the 
Lord  hath  helped  us  through  deeps,  deserts,  dangers, 
and  distresses.  I  have  told  but  a  small  part  of  our  labors 
and  sufferings ;  let  the  great  day  of  eternity  reveal  the 
rest !  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and  to 
the  Holy  Ghost,  forever !    Amen. 

A  Calm  Follows  Ttimult 

Apr.  13.  We  parted  with  the  elders  at  Perry  Hall. 
I  had  preached  on  2  Cor.  12.  9,  10.  We  rode  on  to  Deer 
Creek,  and  halted  for  the  night  with  Harry  Watters. 
My  mind  is  in  a  great  calm  after  the  tumult  of  a  Balti- 
more Conference,  and  the  continual  concourse  of  visitors 
and  people  to  which  my  duty  subjected  me.     I  have  felt 


526 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1803 


deeply  engaged,  and  much  self-possession ;  indeed,  age, 
grace,  and  the  weight  and  responsibility  of  one  of  the 
greatest  charges  upon  earth  ought  to  make  me  serious. 
In  addition  to  this  charge  of  the  superintendent,  to  preach, 
to  feel,  and  to  live  perfect  love !  The  promise  of  the  year 
is  great,  in  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  and  in  the  church 
of  God.     Glory  and  honor  be  unto  the  Lord. 

Hatred  of  Parade  and  Pretense 

Apr.  20.    Our  brethren  from  Chester  came  to  meet  us, 
and  to  convey  us   forward   with  more   ease.      Save  me 


THE    SLAVE    JAIL,    PERRY    HALL. 

Erected  in  1770  by  Henry  Dorsey  Gough.    Tradition  says  that  the  prayer 
of  the  slave  who  led  Gough  to  Christ  was  offered  in  this  building. 

from  parade !  The  greatest  good-will,  and  the  kindest 
intentions,  will  never  make  it  acceptable  to  me.  I  choose 
rather  to  go  on  in  my  own  way,  though  I  sufifer  for  it. 

Apr.  23.  My  subjects  for  the  past  week  have  been 
generally  prayer,  and  preaching  the  Word.  On  the  Sab- 
bath day  we  had  a  love  feast.  Our  exercises  were  closed 
by  my  reading  the  extraordinary  accounts  I  had  received 
of  the  work  of  God  in  the  South  and  West  of  our  con- 


i8o3]  LEGACY  FOR  BISHOPS  527 

tincnt.  Preaching  began  on  Heb.  6.  i,  at  eleven  o'clock, 
and  a  more  solemn  assembly  I  think  I  never  saw.  Brother 
Whatcoat  spoke  in  the  afternoon,  and  James  Moore  ex- 
horted, clothed  with  power,  and  full  of  love.  Never  was 
preacher  more  respected  in  Talbot  than-  our  Brother 
Moore.  Dr.  Allen's  was  our  lodging  place  for  three 
nights.  It  seems  as  if  the  whole  Peninsula  must  be 
methodized.  Twenty-five  years  of  faithful  labors,  and 
the  consistent  lives  of  our  brethren,  generally,  have  worn 
down  prejudice,  so  that  many  who  will  not  liz'e,  will 
when  they  are  sick  send  for  the  preachers  that  they  may 
die,  Christians. 

Apr.  28.  I  sat  in  our  Conference  at  Duck  Creek, 
Maryland,  held  in  the  Friends'  meetinghouse,  four  days. 
We  had  nearly  one  hundred  preachers,  traveling  and 
local,  present  for  the  transaction  of  business.  Twelve 
elders  and  twelve  deacons  were  ordained. 

May  20  (New  York).  I  did  a  little  in  writing,  talk- 
ing, planning,  and  thinking.  I  can  hear,  see,  or  feel  no 
more  of  religion  here  than  there  was  last  year.  I  signed 
a  memorial  for  the  obtaining  in  the  court  a  legal  claim 
to  £300  left  by  Miss  De  Peyster,  for  the  bishops  and 
clergy  of  the  Methodist  Church,  to  be  appropriated  in 
the  best  manner  for  the  good  of  the  society. 

In  Connectictit  Again 

May  24  (Connecticut).  On  the  morrow  we  reached 
Redding,  passing  through  Ridgefield,  and  I  preached  in 
Aaron  Hunt's  house  upon  Col.  3.  12,  13.  The  text  itself 
is  a  sermon. 

May  27.  The  Baptists  of  Connecticut  have  sent  their 
petition  from  the  Assembly  to  the  Legislature  of  Con- 
necticut to  the  bishops  of  the  Methodist  Church,  that 
they  may  have  their  aid  in  detaining  toleration.  What 
can  we  do,  and  how  is  it  our  business?  We  are  neither 
popes  nor  politicians.     Let  our  brethren  assert  their  own 


528  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

liberties.  Besides,  who  may  now  be  trusted  with  power? 
The  Baptists  are  avowed  enemies  to  episcopacy,  be  the 
form  of  church  government  as  mild  as  it  may.  Now, 
it  seems,  popes,  as  they  would  otherwise  term  us,  may 
be  useful  to  them,  nor  are  they  too  proud  to  ask  for  help ; 
but  our  people  will  not  be  pushed  into  their  measures ; 
their  bishops  have  no  coercive  power  of  this  sort.  If  the 
Baptists  know  not  what  to  do  we  cannot  tell  them. 

May  29.  We  came  to  Middletown.  As  it  was  the 
hour  of  devotion,  we  stepped  into  the  Separate  meeting- 
hous.e,  and  heard  a  certain  Mr.  Greaves  preach.  At  five 
o'clock  Brother  Whatcoat,  after  some  demurring,  was 
permitted  to  preach.  When  he  was  done  the  old  woman 
controverted  his  doctrine  of  sanctification. 

Throttgh  the  D«st  to  Boston 

June  8.  We  came  through  the  dust  to  Boston,  and  as 
eighteen  members  were  present  we  opened  the  Confer- 
ence in  our  chapel.  We  sat  six  hours  a  dav  for  dispatch 
of  business ;  there  was  preaching  at  eleven  and  five 
o'clock,  and  in  the  evening.  It  was  all  new,  but  nothing 
special  appeared. 

June  ii.  We  ordained  Joshua  Soule  and  Nathan 
Emory  elders,  and  Edward  Whittle  deacon. 

Joshua  Soule  had  begun  to  travel  sometime  before  this.  He 
was  converted  in  1797,  and  encouraged  by  Joshua  Taylor 
entered  immediately  upon  his  ministerial  labors,  being  about 
seventeen  years  of  age.  His  career  was  a  long  and  notable 
one.  In  the  division  of  the  church  in  1844  he  attached  him- 
self to  the  party  formed  by  the  representatives  of  the  South 
and  labored  with  distinction  in  that  branch  of  the  church  until 
his  death  in  1867. 

As  our  work  was  done,  and  we  were  feeble,  we  came 
away  to  Waltham.  It  is  no  time  to  journalize,  but  I 
may  remark  that  we  had  great  peace  in  our  Conference, 
and  that  we  have  an  increase  of  five  hundred  members. 
I  lodged  at  A'Irs.  Woodard's,  and  was  kindly  and  com- 


i8o3] 


PRIESTS  FOR  SALE 


529 


fortaljly  entertained,  'llie  great  wants  of  Boston  arc 
good  religion  and  good  water.  How  can  this  city  and 
Massachusetts  be  in  any  other  than  a  melancholy  state? 
June  12.  1  will  not  mention  names,  but  I  could  tell 
of  a  congregation  that  sold  their  priest  to  another  con- 
gregation in  Boston  for  the  sum  of  $1,000,  and  hired  out 
the  money  at  the  unlawful  interest  of  twenty-five  or  thirty 
per  cent.     Lord,  have  mercy  upon  the  priest  and  people 


■>^r. 


RESIDENCE   OF    REV.    GEORGE    PICKERING. 

The  Beniamin  Bemis  homestead,  Waltham,  Massachusetts,  Asbury, 
Whatcoat,  Lee,  Hedding,  Roberts,  and  many  others  were  entertained  here. 

that  can  think  of  buying  the  kingdom  of  heaven  with 
money !  How  would  it  tell  to  the  South,  that  priests 
were  among  the  notions  of  Yankee  traffic? 

Conference  at  Ashgrove 

July  i  (Ashgrove,  New  York).  We  opened  our  Con- 
ference at  John  Baker's,  in  the  Holloway,  prettily  en- 
vironed with  hills,  a  carpet  of  green  spread  beneath,  and 


530  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

here  and  there  around  us  fields  clothed  with  the  promise 
of  an  abundant  harvest.  We  finished  our  business  on 
Tuesday,  public  and  private.  There  were  nearly  seventy 
preachers  and  fifty  members.  On  the  Sabbath  day,  per- 
haps, we  had  two  thousand  hearers ;  the  house  was  filled 
with  women,  and  the  men  stood  without ;  I  stood  in  the 
door,  and  spoke  to  them  from  i  Tim.  4.  11,  12;  but  I  had 
been  overcome  by  twelve  hours"  a  day  constant  attention 
to  business  in  the  Conference,  and  spoke  with  pain. 

Ashgrove,  where  this  Conference  was  held,  was  a  Methodist 
center,  being  the  neighborhood  to  which  Philip  Embury  and 
his  friends  removed  when  they  left  New  York.  It  is  now 
included  in  the  city  of  Albany.  The  name  of  the  place  is  pre- 
served in  the  name  of  the  church. 

Occasion  for  Patience 

July  6.  We  came  to  Pittstown,  dined  with  Mr.  Fol- 
litt,  and  came  on  to  the  Half  Moon,  thirty  miles,  and 
lodged  at  John  Barber's.  On  Thursday  we  came  through 
Albany,  and  stopped  to  dine  at  Dole's  tavern,  three  miles 
beyond.  Here  Brother  Whatcoat  discovered  that  he  had 
left  my  coat  and  my  cloak  behind.  I  bore  the  loss  with 
some  patience.  Finding  we  had  two  hundred  miles  to 
reach  Trenton,  and  only  six  days  to  accomplish  the  dis- 
tance in,  we  continued  on  to  Coeyman's  Landing.  Re- 
flecting on  this,  and  the  journey  of  fourteen  hundred 
miles  still  to  Kentucky,  and  Brother  Whatcoat's  indispo- 
sition withal,  I  felt  somewhat  moved.  On  Friday  we 
came  to  John  Crawford's,  near  the  Catskill  Mountains, 
making  thirty-five  miles  without  food  for  man  or  beast. 
On  Saturday  we  reached  Cole's,  at  Hurley,  on  Esopus 
Creek.  The  drought  and  heat  and  dust,  in  nine  hun- 
dred and  ninety  miles  from  Baltimore  to  this  place,  made 
us  suffer,  but  my  mind  was  supported,  and  my  health 
preserved. 

July  ii.  We  came  on  to  New  Windsor,  through 
Newburgh,  to  John  Ellis's,  making  forty  miles.     Were 


i8o3]  STATE  OF  THE  CHURCH  531 

I  to  listen  to  the  nmrmurs  of  people,  I  might  bring  my- 
self into  dreadful  business.  Feeling  my  unworthiness, 
I  the  more  readily  forgive  their  complaints.  Indeed, 
their  censure  is  far  more  safe  for  me  than  their  praise. 
I  have  traveled  about  two  hundred  miles  through  the 
state  of  New  York.  By  a  fair  and  accurate  computa- 
tion I  judge  that  we  have  added,  exclusive  of  the  dead, 
the  removed,  and  the  expelled,  and  withdrawn,  17,300. 
Our  total  for  the  year  1803  are  104,070  members.  In 
1 77 1  there  were  about  300  INIethodists  in  New  York,  250 
in  Philadelphia,  and  a  few  in  Jersey.  I  then  longed  for 
100.000;  now  I  want  200,000 — nay,  thousands  upon 
thousands. 

July  18.  I  must  here,  in  Philadelphia,  lal)or  with 
the  pen,  and  answer  letters,  and  refit  for  the  Western 
Conference. 

Ai'G.  2.  At  four  o'clock  we  set  out  to  scale  the  moun- 
tains. We  passed  a  little  town  called  Strasburg,  and 
another  called  Emmetsburg.  Here  we  stopped,  and  I 
laid  myself  down  upon  the  floor  to  rest.  I  feel,  and  have 
felt  thirty-two  years,  for  Pennsylvania,  the  most  wealthy 
and  the  most  careless  about  (jod,  and  the  things  of  God ; 
but  I  hope  God  will  shake  the  state  and  the  churches. 
There  are  now  upward  of  twenty  German  preachers  some- 
how connected  with  ]\Ir.  Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm, 
but  they  want  authority,  and  the  church  wants  discipline. 

Aug.  c;.  I  feel  wholly  given  up  to  do  or  suffer  the  will 
of  God,  to  be  sick  or  well,  and  to  live  or  die  at  any  time 
and  in  any  place — the  fields,  the  woods,  the  house,  or 
the  wilderness.  Glory  be  to  God  for  such  resignation ! 
I  have  little  to  leave,  except  a  journey  of  five  thousand 
miles  a  year,  the  care  of  more  than  a  hundred  thousand 
souls,  and  the  arrangement  of  about  four  hundred 
preachers  yearly,  to  which  I  may  add  the  murmurs  and 
discontent  of  ministers  and  people.  Who  wants  this 
legacy  ?     Those  who  do  are  welcome  to  it  for  me ! 


532  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

Aug.  II.  I  dined  with  Colonel  Mason,  one  of  the 
great  men  of  the  West.  Next  day  I  came  to  Union- 
town,  and  returned  to  Jacob  Murphy's.  On  Saturday  I 
came  to  the  quarterly  meeting.  I  preached,  and  we  had 
an  open  time.  At  the  night  meeting  it  was  a  shouting 
time,  and  our  meetings,  I  believe,  were  warning  times 
to  Uniontown.  I  believe  God  will  yet  work  in  the  Red- 
stone settlement. 

Camp  Meeting  Near  Fort  on  the  Monongahela 

Aug.  19.  Our  camp  meeting  begins  to-day.  The 
ground  chosen  was  William  Jackson's,  near  the  old  fort 
upon  the  Monongahela.  It  was  upon  a  beautiful  emi- 
ence  the  great  stand  was  erected,  and  a  second  one  to  the 
left,  concealed  by  the  trees.  On  Saturday  I  preached 
to  about  one  thousand  hearers.  My  text  was  Isa.  55.  12. 
The  Sabbath  was  wet  in  the  morning,  but,  clearing  away, 
both  stands  were  occupied,  and  there  might  be  in  the  two 
congregations  nearly  four  thousand  people. 

Aug.  29.  I  came  down,  and  crossed  at  the  old  fort, 
the  point  of  confluence  of  the  rivers  Monongahela  and 
Allegheny,  whence  these  united  waters  flow  under  the 
appropriate  name  of  Ohio,  beautiful.  Riding  up  the 
road,  I  met  an  aged  Presbyterian,  who  told  me  that 
religion  was  at  a  great  height  in  Mr.  Wood's  congre- 
gation ;  that  yesterday  under  preaching  several  fell  down. 
He  asked  my  opinion  of  the  work ;  I  replied  that  in 
my  judgment  any  person  wdio  could  not  give  an  account 
of  the  convincing  and  converting  power  of  God  might 
be  mistaken ;  falling  down  would  not  do. 

Ptilpit  Between  Two  Stigar-Maples 

Sept.  2.  We  found  a  spot  and  made  a  pulpit  between 
two  sugar-maple  trees.  I  was  in  great  pain,  so  that  I 
did  not  attend  quarterly  meeting,  which  began  on  Sat- 
urday,  continued   until   midnight,   recommenced   on   the 


i8o3l         LOVE  FEAST  AND  SACRAMENT  533 

vSal)l)ath  with  love  feast  and  sacrament,  and  at  eleven 
o'clock  I  preached  on  Eph.  6.  18-20:  i.  "The  ministry 
of  the  i^ospel,"  in  redemption  and  salvation ;  in  what 
Christ  hath  done  for  us,  and  in  what  is  wrought  in  us 
by  his  Spirit ;  2.  The  duty,  nature,  and  exercise  of  prayer, 
for  saints,  for  the  ministry,  and  for  the  success  of  the 
gospel ;  3.  That  the  apostle  might  he  bold  as  a  prisoner 
and  a  martyr.  Many  things  were  said  of  the  mysteries 
of  God — creation,  the  winds,  and  our  own  existence  in 
embryo.  We  have  demonstration  of  these  mysteries,  and 
such  we  also  have  of  redemption,  conviction,  conversion, 
sanctification,  and  the  adorable  Trinity,  and  frequent  and 
obvious  demonstrations  of  the  po-v9er  of  God  and  his 
Word  instantaneously  manifested.  We  do  not  know  how 
these  things  are,  l:)ut  we  know  that  they  do  exist. 

Exploration  of  the  Mississippi 

Sept.  7.  Came  to  Charlestown,  the  capital  of  Brooke 
County,  situated  at  the  mouth  of  Buffalo,  eighty  miles 
from  Pittsburg.  We  found  the  Ohio  so  low  that  the 
boat  of  Colonel  Lewis,  who  is  going  to  explore  the  Miss- 
issippi, would  not  float  over  the  flats. 

Sept.  9.  At  Charlestown  I  preached  in  Brooke  Court- 
house, on  Josh.  24.  19.  We  came  to  Nicholas  Pomfrey's 
to  lodge  in  the  evening.  On  Saturday  we  crossed  at 
Pomfrey's  Ferry,  and  attended  West  Wheeling  quarterly 
meeting  at  Hopewell  Chapel.  I  ordained  Brother  Wren- 
shall  to  the  office  of  deacon,  and  then  came  to  the  stand, 
and  preached  on  the  Sabbath  day  on  i  Pet.  5.  10.  We 
had  love  feast  and  sacrament.  There  was  a  cry  raised 
very  soon,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  I  could  keep  the 
thread  of  my  discourse  while  they  were  singing  and 
shouting  upon  the  top  of  the  hill.  At  candlelight  the  cry 
began  again,  and  continued  until  the  l)reak  of  day  on 
Monday  morning.  It  is  judged  there  were  twenty  souls 
converted  to  God.    I  came  away,  keeping  up  Indian  Short 


534  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

Creek  to  Isaac  Meek's,  ten  miles;  on  this  stream  are  some 
of  as  fine  lands  as  any  in  America. 

Sept.  13.  We  came  to  Morrison's  tavern,  twenty 
miles,  our  route  lying  along  upon  the  branches  of  Short 
Creek,  Wheeling,  and  Stillwater — the  land  still  fertile. 
Next  day  we  reached  Will's  Creek,  after  riding  thirty- 
seven  miles;  we  were  richly  entertained  at  Mr.  Beatty's. 
On  Thursday  morning  it  rained  about  two  hours  ;  I  was 
damped,  and  felt  a  touch  of  inflammation  in  my  throat. 
We  stopped  at  Zanesville,  and  found  good  entertainment 
at  Mrs.  Morrison's,  who  showed  us  much  kindness. 

«  Fertile  Lands 

Sept.  16.  In  three  days  we  have  ridden  one  hundred 
and  twenty  miles,  over  successive  and  excessively  steep 
hills.  Daniel  and  Benjamin  Hitt  have  been  my  compan- 
ions. The  levels,  and  on  the  water  courses  the  lands, 
in  this  state  are  exceedingly  rich,  with  all  the  appearances 
which  alluvial  soils  present.  I  frequently  see  the  tnuinli 
or  barrows,  such  as  are  seen  in  the  west  of  Georgia, 
most  probably  graves  of  the  aborigines.  We  are,  I  judge, 
six  hundred  miles  from  Philadelphia. 

Sept.  24.  I  rode  to  Chillicothe,  fifteen  miles,  through 
lands  generally  rich.  We  passed  some  of  those  mounds 
and  intrenchments  which  still  astonish  all  who  visit  this 
country,  and  give  rise,  to  many  conjectures  respecting 
their  origin:  "Shadows,  clouds,  and  darkness  rest"  and 
will  rest  "upon  them."  In  the  statehouse,  which  also 
answers  for  a  courthouse,  I  preached  to  about  five  hun- 
dred hearers,  and  would  have  had  more  had  not  the  rain 
prevented.  Chillicothe  stands  upon  the  point  of  conflu- 
ence of  the  Scioto  River  and  Paint  Creek.  On  Monday 
we  came  away  from  Governor  Edward  Tiffin's  across  the 
flat  lands  of  the  Paint.  At  the  end  of  thirty  miles  we 
stopped  at  Brancker's,  and  had  the  common  fare  of  trav- 
elers, with  other  travelers. 


i8o3] 


FIRST  GOVERNOR  OF  OHIO 


535 


Sept.  28  (Kentucky).  We  crossed  the  Ohio  into  the 
state  of  Kentucky,  Fleming-  County,  stopping  at  Sala- 
thiel  Fitch's.     It  is  wonderful  to  contemplate  the  effects 


GOVERNOR    TIFFIN. 

Dr.  Edward  P.  Tiffin  (1766-1829)  was  a  distinguished  figure  in  early 
Methodism  west  of  the  Alleghanies.  He  was  the  first  governor  of  Ohio, 
1803  and  1805  ;  United  States  Senator,  1807  ;  United  States  Commissioner 
of  PubHc  Lands,  1812;  Surveyor  General  of  the  Northwest,  1813-1828. 
His  life,  by  Colonel  W.  E.  Gilmore,  was  published  in  1897. 


536  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

of  American  enterprise  exhibited  in  the  state  of  Ohio.  It 
is  but  four  years  since  Zane  opened  the  road  for  the 
general  government  through  the  wilderness  so  lately 
called,  and  now  there  are  the  towns  of  Marietta  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Muskingum,  of  about  one  thousand  houses ; 
Cincinnati,  containing  as  many ;  Hamilton,  of  five  hun- 
dred houses ;  and  others  whose  names  are  scarcely  fixed. 

Divine  Institution  of  the  Sabbath 

Oct.  I  (Mount  Gerizim).  Barnabas  McHenry 
preached  upon  the  divine  institution  of  the  Sabbath. 
On  Sunday  I  had  to  preach  from  a  stand  in  the  woods 
to  about  two  thousand  people.     My  subject  was  i  Thess. 

3-   I- 

Oct.  3.  We  entered  fully  upon  our  Conference  work, 
but  I  had  to  preach  nevertheless.  We  had  preaching 
every  day.  and  the  people  continued  singing  and  prayer, 
night  and  day,  with  little  intermission.  On  Wednesday 
the  meeting  closed.  We  hope  there  were  twenty  souls 
converted  to  God,  besides  five  who  are  reported  to  have 
been  converted  at  a  family  meeting.  Our  Conference 
ended  on  Thursday.  Next  day  I  rose  sick,  and  continued 
my  route  through  Paris,  the  capital  of  Bourbon  County, 
a  growing  place  of  about  four  hundred  houses,  some  of 
brick,  and  a  stone  meetinghouse  belonging  to  the  Pres- 
byterians. The  day  was  excessively  warm,  but  I  made 
twenty  miles  to  Dr.  Hinde's,  Clark  County.  Brothers 
McKendree,  Garrett,  Douthet,  and  Grenade  were  with  me. 

Dr.  Hinde,  once  a  surgeon  under  General  Wolfe  and  an 
infidel,  the  grandfather  of  Bishop  Kavanaugh,  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  had  married  into  a  Virginia  family. 
When  his  wife  awakened  under  Methodist  preaching  he  had 
blistered  her  head  to  cure  her  of  her  madness.  But  later  he 
also  was  converted  and  was  now  a  Methodist. 

Oct.  8.  I  felt  my  mind  devoutly  fixed  on  God.  I 
accomplished  two  things  in  Conference,  namely:  i. 
Forming  the   Ohio  circuits  into  a  district;  2.    Sending 


i8o3]  INCREDIBLE  HARDSHIPS  537 

two  missionaries  to  Natchez,  and  one  to  Illinois,  as  the 
minmes  of  the  present  year  will  show. 

At  "Wood's,  in  the  "Woods 

Oct.  II.  We  stopped  at  Wood's,  in  the  woods.  His 
house  heing"  unfinished,  there  were  masons,  and  car- 
penters, and  j^entlemen,  and  riflemen,  and  whisky  topers, 
hesides  the  gnats  and  bats,  which,  ever  and  anon,  flew 
in  and  out.  We  quitted  our  purgatory  upon  paying  two 
and  a  half  dollars  for  three  of  us. 

The  Sorrows  of  an  Itinerant  Bishop 

Oct.  14  (Tennessee).  What  a  road  have  we  passed! 
Certainly  the  worst  on  the  whole  continent,  even  in  the 
best  weather.  Yet,  bad  as  it  was,  there  were  four  or  five 
hundred  crossing  the  rude  hills  while  we  were.  I  was 
powerfully  struck  with  the  consideration  that  there  were 
at  least  as  many  thousand  emigrants  annually  from  East 
to  West.  We  must  take  care  to  send  preachers  after 
these  people.  We  have  made  one  thousand  and  eighty 
miles  from  Philadelphia  ;  and  now,  what  a  detail  of  suf- 
ferings might  I  give,  fatiguing  to  me  to  write,  and  per- 
haps to  my  friends  to  read.  A  man  who  is  well  mounted 
will  scorn  to  complain  of  the  roads  when  he  sees  men, 
women,  and  children,  almost  naked,  paddling  barefoot 
and  barelegged  along,  or  laboring  up  the  rocky  hills, 
while  those  who  are  best  off  have  only  a  horse  for  two 
or  three  children  to  ride  at  once.  If  these  adventurers 
have  little  or  nothing  to  eat,  it  is  no  extraordinary  cir- 
cumstance, and  not  uncommon,  to  encamp  in  the  wet 
woods  after  night — in  the  mountains  it  does  not  rain, 
but  pours.  I  too  have  my  sufferings,  perhaps  peculiar 
to  myself — no  room  to  retire  to  ;  that  in  which  you  sit 
common  to  all,  crowded  with  women  and  children,  the 
fire  occupied  by  cooking,  much  and  long-loved  solitude 
not  to  be  found,  unless  you  choose  to  run  out  into  the 


538  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

rain,  in  the  woods.  Six  months  in  the  year  I  have  had, 
for  thirty-two  years,  occasionally,  to  submit  to  what  will 
never  be  agreeable  to  me ;  but  the  people,  it  must  be 
confessed,  are  among  the  kindest  souls  in  the  world.  But 
kindness  will  not  make  a  crowded  log  cabin,  twelve  feet 
by  ten,  agreeable  ;  without  are  cold  and  rain,  and  within 
six  adults,  and  as  many  children,  one  of  which  is  all 
motion;  the  dogs,  too,  must  sometimes  be  admitted.  On 
Saturday  I  found  that  among  my  other  trials  I  had  taken 
an  uncomfortable  skin  disease  ;  and,  considering  the  filthy 
houses  and  filthy  beds  I  have  met  with,  in  coming  from 
Kentucky  Conference,  it  is  perhaps  strange  that  I  have 
not  caught  it  twenty  times.  I  do  not  see  that  there  is 
any  security  against  it,  but  by  sleeping  in  a  brimstone 
shirt.  Poor  bishop !  But  we  must  bear  it  for  the  elects' 
sake.  I  wrote  some  letters  to  our  local  brethren,  and 
read  the  book  of  Daniel  while  in  this  house. 

Doers  of  the  Word 

Oct.  23.  My  soul  is  tranquil,  the  air  is  pure,  and  the 
house  of  God  is  near ;  and  Jehovah  is  nearer.  At 
Ebenezer,  I  preached  on  James  i.  22:  "But  be  ye  doers 
of  the  word,  and  not  hearers  only,  deceiving  your  own 
selves."  By  introduction,  I  collected  the  words  of  our 
Lord  and  those  of  the  apostle  Paul  upon  the  same  sub- 
ject, and  brought  them  to  one  point.  Li  opening  the 
subject  I  observed,  i.  What  we  are  taught  in  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel:  (i)  Christian  experience;  (2)  Chris- 
tian tempers;  (3)  Christian  perfection;  (4)  Christian 
duties.  2.  How  people  should  hear  the  Word :  ( i )  con- 
stantly, seriously;  (2)  in  faith,  in  prayer;  (3)  as  be- 
lieving it  promises  all  that  is  good,  and  threatens  the  most 
dreadful  evil.  3.  To  be  doers  of  the  Word  is  to  seek  for 
the  immediate  experience  and  practice  of  the  Word. 

Oct.  28.  I  walked  down  the  mountain,  after  riding 
sixteen  or  eighteen  miles  before  breakfast,  and  came  in 


i8o3]        FILTH,   FLEAS,  RATTLESNAKES  539 

about  twelve  o!clock  to  Father  John  Douthet's.  Once 
more  1  have  escaped  from  filth,  fleas,  rattlesnakes,  hills, 
mountains,  rocks,  and  rivers.  Farewell,  \\'estern  world, 
for  a  while  !  W'e  are  twelve  hundred  and  seventy  miles 
from  Philadelphia. 

Nov.  10  (South  Carolina).  \\'e  met  peo[)le  coming 
from  the  militia  muster,  drunk,  and  staggering  along  the 
lanes  and  paths.  These  unhappy  souls  have  had  their 
camp  meeting,  and  shout  forth  the  praises  of  the  god  of 
strong  drink.  Glor\'  be  to  (iod,-  we  have  our  camp 
meetings,  too,  of  longer  continuance,  and  more  and 
louder  shouting  of  glory,  and  honor,  and  praises  to  the 
God  of  the  armies  of  the  earth. 

Nov.  15.  I  entered  Columbia  like  an  Indian  chief;  it 
rained,  and  I  had  cast  a  blanket  round  me.  'John  Harper 
came  to  meet  us  and  welcome  us  to  his  house,  where,  al- 
though the  weather  was  stormy,  we  held  a  family  meet- 
ing, and  the  rooms  were  filled  with  respectable  hearers. 
My  choice  of  a  text  was  singular ;  it  was  our  Lord's 
most  affectionate  words  to  his  broken-hearted  disciples 
when  giving  notice  of  his  departure,  John  14.  18. 

In  a  New  Parsonage 

Nov.  19.  Reached  Charleston,  after  riding  thirty 
miles  without. rest  or  food  for  man  or  beast.  I  took  pos- 
session of  the  new  house  built  for  the  preachers,  near 
the  new  chapel.  I  continued  a  week  in  Charleston, 
lodging  in  our  own  house  at  Bethel,  receiving  my  visitors, 
ministers,  and  people — white,  black,  and  yellow.  It  was 
a  paradise  to  me,  and  to  some  others. 

This  little  parsonage,  the  first  in  the  South  Carolina  Con- 
ference, is  described  by  Bishop  Andrew,  of  the  Church,  South, 
in  his  Reminiscences:  "The  old,  odd-shaped  house  defying  all 
sorts  of  architectural  style,  was  a  house  of  shreds  and  patches, 
and  stood  almost  touching  Bethel  Church.  Below  stairs  was 
the  dining  room  stuck  up  in  one  corner;  at  the  other  you  went 
into  the  yard,  from  a  little  cuddy  in  which  was  the  water  pail; 


540  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1803 

but  the  grand  room  of  the  lower  story  was  the  Conference 
room.  In  this  was  transacted  all  the  business  of  the  session. 
Here  you  met  every  week  either  stewards  or  leaders,  white  or 
black;  and  here  the  preachers  had  to  have  all  cases  of  com- 
plaints or  trial,  especially  among  the  blacks;  and  to  this  room 
also  came,  at  stated  intervals,  all  who  wished  to  join  on  trial. 
Here  Asbury  had  prayer  at  sunrise  for  all  who  came.' 

Dec.  2  (Augusta,  Georgia).  We  reached  our  place  of 
destination.  I  have  ridden  one  thousand  six  hundred  and 
fifty-four  miles  by  computation  since  I  left  Philadelphia. 
By  letter  from  I'hilip  Bruce  I  learn  that  the  work  of 
God  has  promising  appearances  in  the  Eastern  and  West- 
ern Districts  of  North  Carolina,  but  abundantly  more  so 
in  the  South  District  of  A'irginia.  At  a  kind  of  camp 
meeting  held  at  Woolsey  Barn,  but  now  Ellis's  Chapel 
more  properly,  there  have  been,  report  says,  one  hundred 
whites  and  a  number  of  blacks  converted  to  God ;  at 
Guilford  quarterly  meeting,  thirty,  and  as  many  within 
a  short  space  at  Norfolk,  brought  to  Christ ;  but  still 
larger  accounts  are  received  of  the  work  of  the  Lord  in 
this  state.  This,  however,  may  be  more  fully  known  by 
reference  to  Stith  Mead's  narrative  letters  on  the  sub- 
ject. My  lodging  in  Augusta  is  with  Peter  Cantalou,  a 
friend  from  France. 

Asbury  spent  the  month  before  the  session  of  the  Conference, 
which  was  held  here  at  the  house  of  his  host,  in  an  extensive 
tour  through  all  the  settled  portions  of  the  state. 

Defends  Methodist  Church  Polity 

Dec  15.  I  will  make  a  few  observations  upon  the 
ignorance  of  foolish  men  who  will  rail  against  our 
church  government.  The  Methodists  acknowledge  no 
superiority  but  what  is  founded  on  seniority,  election, 
and  long  and  faithful  services.  For  myself,  I  pity  those 
who  cannot  distinguish  between  a  Pope  of  Rome  and  an 
old,  worn  man  of  about  sixty  years  who  has  the  power 
given  him  of  riding  five  thousand  miles  a  year,  at  a 
salary  of  $80,  through  summer's  heat  and  winter's  cold, 


i8o4]  SUSPICION  AND  ENVY  541 

traveling-  in  all  weather,  preaching  in  all  places,  his  best 
covering  from  rain  often  but  a  blanket ;  the  surest  sharp- 
ener of  his  wit,  hunger ;  his  best  fare,  for  six  months 
of  the  twelve,  coarse  kindness;  and  his  reward,  sus- 
picion, envy,  and  murmurings  all  the  year  round. 

Dec.  31.  We  had  an  appointment  at  a  new  chapel,  but 
it  rained,  and  we  had  few  hearers.  There  being  several 
preachers  present,  I  chose  for  my  text  Rom.  2.  21.  After 
meeting  we  rode  thirteen  miles  to  Mr.  Beal's,  near 
Augusta.  To  my  surprise  I  find  Bishop  Coke  is  in 
Augusta  before  me.  I  have  received  letters  of  conse- 
quence from  the  North. 

Preachers  Easily  Stationed 

Jan.  4,  1804.  We  met  for  Conference.  Bishop  Coke 
preached  in  the  morning.  We  conducted  our  business 
in  great  harmony,  and  did  it  hastily.  There  was  preach- 
ing every  evening;  and  the  bishops  bore  their  share  of 
ministerial  labors.  Elders  and  deacons  were  ordained.- 
I  found  little  difficulty  in  stationing  the  preachers.  The 
Conference  rose  at  eleven  o'clock  on  Thursday,  and  I 
took  the  road  to  Swearengia,  eighteen  miles.  I  gave 
Bishop  Coke  a  plan  for  a  journey  as  far  as  Boston,  before 
the  General  Conference.  I  mark  this  year,  1804,  as  the 
greatest  that  has  ever  yet  been  known  in  this  land  for 
religion. 

Jan.  22.  I  preached  at  Rembert's  Chapel  from  Luke 
10.  21  :  'Tn  that  hour  Jesus  rejoiced  in  spirit,  and  said, 
1  thank  thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  that 
thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent, 
and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes :  even  so.  Father ;  for 
so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  i.  What  things  they 
are  that  are  hidden  from  the  wise  and  prudent:  the 
things  of  the  gospel,  the  great  things,  and  the  deep 
things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  in  the  divine  operations,  and 
sensations,   and   affections,   and   fruits   of   the   Spirit   of 


542  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1804 

grace ;  2.  Why  are  they  hidden  from  the  "wise  and  pru- 
dent" ?  ( I )  Because  they  seek  the  knowledge  of  them 
by  their  own  wisdom;  (2)  Because  they  will  not  submit 
to  the  rules  of  discipleship  that  they  may  learn;  (3)  Be- 
cause they  have  chosen  the  world  for  their  portion,  with 
its  riches,  honors,  and  pleasures ;  and  thus  living,  they 
cannot  learn ;  (4)  Because  they  will  not,  cannot  part 
with  their  darling  passions  and  besetting  sins;  (5)  Be- 
cause they  will  not  submit  to  suffer  reproach. 

Jan.  2Ty.  Reading,  writing,  and  planning  a  route  and 
Sabbath  labors  from  now  until  January,  1805.  The 
ninth  volume  of  Mr.  Wesley's  Sermons  engaged  a  part 
of  my  time.    What  an  excellent  preacher  he  is. 

Why  Asbury  Never  Married 

Jan.  27.  If  I  should  die  in  celibacy,  which  I  think 
quite  probable,  I  give  the  following  reasons  for  what  can 
scarcely  be  called  my  choice:  I  was  called  in  my  four- 
teenth year.  I  began  my  public  exercises  between  six- 
teen and  seventeen ;  at  twenty-one  I  traveled ;  at  twenty- 
six  I  came  to  America :  thus  far  I  had  reasons  enough 
for  a  single  life.  It  had  been  my  intention  of  returning 
to  Europe  at  thirty  years  of  age,  but  the  war  continued, 
and  it  was  ten  years  before  we  had  a  settled,  lasting 
peace.  This  was  no  time  to  marry  or  be  given  in  mar- 
riage. At  forty-nine  I  was  ordained  superintendent 
bishop  in  America.  Among  the  duties  imposed  upon  me 
by  mv  office  was  that  of  traveling  extensively,  and  I 
could  hardly  expect  to  find  a  woman  with  grace  enough 
to  enable  her  to  live  but  one  week  out  of  the  fifty-two 
with  her  husband.  Besides,  what  right  has  any  man  to 
take  advantage  of  the  affections  of  a  woman,  make  her 
his  wife,  and  by  a  voluntary  absence  subvert  the  whole 
order  and  economy  of  the  marriage  state,  by  separating 
those  whom  neither  God,  nature,  nor  the  requirements 
of  civil  society  permit  to  be  put  asunder?     It  is  neither 


i8o4]     ASBURY'S  CARE  OF  HIS  MOTHER        543 

just  nor  g-cnerous.  I  may  add  to  this,  that  1  had  Httle 
money,  and  with  this  Httle  a(hninistcred  to  the  necessities 
of  a  beloved  mother  until  I  was  fifty-seven.  If  I  have 
done  wrong,  I  hope  God  and  the  sex  will  forgive  me.  It 
is  my  duty  now  to  bestow  the  pittance  I  may  have  to 
spare  upon  the  widows  and  fatherless  girls,  and  poor 
married  men. 

Jan.  29.  I  rested  at  Georgetown.  I  preached  in  Mr. 
ITammett's  house,  now  fallen  into  our  hands.  The  Bap- 
tists have  built  an  elegant  church,  planned  for  a  steeple 
and  organ.  They  take  the  rich,  and  the  commonality 
and  the  slaves  fall  to  us.  This  is  well.  We  have  about 
twenty  whites,  and  between  three  and  four  hundred 
blacks  in  society  here.  My  mind  has  been  deeply  tried 
by  my  friends  who  wished  me  to  derange  appointments 
made  in  two  circuits,  that  one  station  might  be  supplied. 
I  do  not  sport  with  preachers  or  people.  I  judge  for  the 
Lord  and  his  churches.  I  stand  in  the  order  of  God,  as 
well  as  the  appointment  of  men. 

A  Ministry  of  Love 

Feb.  26.  I  spoke  at  Washington  on  2  Cor.  5.  11-15. 
I  collected  three  propositions  from  the  whole:  i.  The 
gospel  is  a  universal  ministration  of  grace  and  truth ; 
"we  persuade  men,"  all  men,  everywhere.  This  position 
is  proved  by  the  general  love  of  God,  the  general  com- 
mission given  the  ambassadors  of  Christ,  the  general 
atonement,  general  offers  of  grace,  the  general  judg- 
ment ;  2.  That,  consequently,  the  gospel  must  be,  in  all 
its  administrations,  applicable  to  the  cases,  consciences, 
and  characters  of  all ;  and  thus  does  it  behoove  the  min- 
isters of  the  gospel  to  preach  it ;  3.  It  is  a  ministry  of 
terror;  "the  terror  of  the  Lord,  we  persuade  men."  It 
is  a  ministry  of  love;  the  "love  of  Christ  constraineth  us." 

Feb.  28.  "I  groan,  being  burdened,"  seven  Confer- 
ences to  appoint  the  stations  in,  to  officiate  in  the  Gen- 


544  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1804 

eral  Conference  of  this  year,  seventeen  states  to  visit,  re- 
quiring a  ride  of  five  thousand  miles  at  the  rate  of  twenty, 
thirty,  forty  miles  a  day.  O  Lord,  give  me  support !  for 
every  day,  every  hour,  and  every  moment  is  a  time  of 
need  with  me ! 

Mar.  14.  I  spoke  on  i  John  3.  1-3.  at  Nixonton 
Chapel.  In  my  subject  I  show^ed,  i.  The  effects  mani- 
fested by  divine  "love"  in  the  fruits  produced  by  it,  and 
the  consolations  flowing  from  it ;  2.  The  progress  of  be- 
coming, and  the  privilege  of  being,  the  "sons  of  God" ; 
3.  The  evidences  furnished  by  the  "sons  of  God"  of  their 
claim  to  sonship ;  they  "purify  themselves"  from  all  sin 
by  humble  faith  and  holy  obedience ;  4.  The  "world," 
blind  and  wretched,  "knowing  not  God,"  nor  the  real 
character  of  the  Eternal  Son  of  God,  and  mainly  igno- 
rant of  the  hearts,  the  exercises,  the  sufferings,  the  trials, 
and  the  heavenly  consolations  of  the  "sons  of  God." 

Charitable  Society  Formed 

Mar.  24  (Norfolk).  At  a  meeting  of  the  women  we 
laid  the  foundation  of  a  female  charitable  society  at 
Norfolk,  similar  in  plan  to  those  of  New  York  and  Bal- 
timore, but  more  liberal.  May  this  live,  grow,  and 
nourish  when  I  am  cold  and  forgotten ! 

Apr.  8  (Virginia).  I  spoke  on  2  Pet.  3.  7-1 1,  at  the 
Olive  Branch  chapel.  I  am  taking  leave  of  the  people 
every  visit.  I  have  made  up  one  thousand  miles,  from 
Augusta,  Georgia,  to  Brunswick  County,  Virginia.  In 
old  A^irginia  I  have  administered  the  Word  thirty  years. 
There  is  a  great  mortality  among  the  aged ;  our  old 
members  drop  off  surprisingly,  but  they  all,  by  account, 
die  in  the  Lord,  and,  in  general,  triumphantly.  Now  I 
have  finished  my  awful  tour  of  duty  for  the  past  month. 
To  ride  twenty  and  thirty  miles  a  day,  to  preach,  baptize, 
and  administer  the  Lord's  Supper,  to  write  and  answer 
letters,  and  plan  for  myself  and  four  hundred  preach- 


i8o4]  THE  BURDEN  HEAVY  545 

ers — O  Lord,  I  have  not  desired  this  awful  day,  thou 
knowcst!  I  refused  to  travel  as  long  as  I  could,  and  I 
lived  long  before  I  took  upon  me  the  superintendency  of 
the  Methodist  Church  in  America,  and  now  I  bear  it  as 
a  heavy  load.  I  hardly  bear  it,  and  yet  dare  not  cast  it 
down,  for  fear  God  and  my  brethren  should  cast  me 
down  for  such  an  abandonment  of  duty.  True  it  is,  my 
wages  are  great — precious  souls  here,  and  glory  here- 
after. 

Apr.  10.  Our  Virginia  Conference  began  in  Salem. 
We  sat  six  hours  a  day,  and  wrought  with  great  applica- 
tion. We  had  an  addition  of  fifteen  preachers ;  two  died, 
seven  located,  one  had  been  expelled  ;  so  there  was  a  gain 
of  eight.  I  liked  what  was  done ;  only,  the  preachers' 
experiences,  the  state  of  the  work,  and  the  circuits  were 
not  given.  So  we  concluded  to  recommend  a  session  of 
six  days  for  the  next  yearly  Conference,  appointed  to  be 
held  at  Edmund  Taylor's,  North  Carolina,  March  i,  1805. 
We  have  added,  after  great  mortality,  one  thousand  mem- 
bers to  the  Virginia  Conference  bounds. 

Apr.  27.  Our  Conference  began  in  Alexandria.  On 
Saturday  I  preached  in  the  new  chapel.  The  business  of 
Conference  was  taken  up  on  Monday  and  Tuesday,  and 
conducted  in  great  peace.  On  Wednesday  we  came  to 
Georgetown,  and  I  visited  Wilson  Lee,  ill  with  a  bleeding 
of  the  lungs.    On  Thursday  we  came  to  Baltimore. 

General  Conference  of  1804 

May  7  (Afaryland).  Our  General  Conference  began. 
What  was  done,  the  revised  Form  of  Discipline  will  show. 
There  were  attempts  made  upon  the  ruling  eldership. 
We  had  a  great  talk.  I  talked  little  upon  any  subject.  I 
preached  but  twice. 

This  General  Conference  continued  for  seventeen  days. 
Bishop  Coke,  as  senior  bishop,  presided.  One  hundred  and 
seven    voting    members    were    present.     The    Discipline    was 


546  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1804 

revised,  section  by  section.  The  "Book  Concern"  was  ordered 
removed  from  Philadelphia  to  New  York.  By  vote  Meth- 
odism deliberately  and  in  its  constitutional  law,  declared  that 
the  republic  of  the  United  vStates  was  no  longer  a  confederacy, 
but  a  nation,  and  as  such  supreme  and  sovereign  over  all  its 
states.     The  subject  of  slavery  was  as  usual  discussed. 

The  Lord  did  not  own  the  ministerial  labors  of  the 
General  Conference.  It  was  a  doubt  if  any  souls  were 
converted.  I  prayed  for  hundreds,  but  God  did  not 
answer  my  prayer. 

May  28  (Soudersburg).  The  Conference  opened.  We 
liad  great  order.  We  sat  five  days  and  a  half.  There 
were  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  preachers  present, 
vv'hose  characters  and  experiences  were  brought  before 
us.    I  preached  twice. 

June  2.  I  rode  through  the  rain  to  the  Valley,  twenty- 
eight  miles.  On  the  Sabbath  I  reached  Radnor.  Here 
my  little  Jane  was  horned  by  a  cow,  and  lamed.  She  is 
done,  perhaps,  forever  for  me,  but  it  may  be  for  the  best. 

Purchases  a  New  Horse 

June  4.  I  desired  Isaac  James  to  ride  thirty  miles, 
going  and  coming,  and  purchase  me  another  little  Jane, 
at  $80.  He  did  so,  with  great  good  will.  I  came  to  Phil- 
adelphia, and  found  that  Richard  Allen  had  bought  me  a 
horse  for  $90 ;  so  I  had  two,  one  to  sell  for  $60.  So  much 
for  my  haste. 

June  ii.  We  spent  some  time  in  social  conference 
with  the  preachers.  To-day,  Mr.  Thomas  Lyell  spoke 
out  in  a  letter  to  me,  saying  that  he  wished  to  be  located. 
I  thought  that  I  had  discovered  his  designs,  and  those  of 
Mr.  Dashiell,  during  the  sitting  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence in  Baltimore.  I  am  willing  that  he  should  belong  to 
the  Church  people.  I  believe  they  have  more  need  of  him 
than  the  Methodists  have.  I  answered  Mr.  Lyell,  tell- 
ing him  that  I  would  do  what  I  could  to  procure  him  a 
location  at  the  Boston  Conference.     He  is  worthy. 


i8o4]  MANY  PREACHERS  LOCATE  547 

Lyell  was  one  of  the  forty-eight  preachers  who  located  this 
year.  He  joined  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  succeeding 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Pilmoor,  in  New  York,  and  long  maintained 
a  reputable  standing  in  that  church,  retaining  always  his  affec- 
tion for  his  Methodist  brethren. 

It  may  suffice  to  say  that  our  present  Conference  was 
a  happy  one,  and  a  Conference  of  great  business.  We 
had  sermons  every  day  at  noon.  Fourteen  deacons  and 
eight  elders  were  ordained ;  these  last  at  the  Bowery 
church,  where  I  preached  upon  2  Tim.  4.  1-4.  By  hard 
labor  I  read  off  the  stations  on  Saturday  night,  and  our 
Conference  sat  on  Monday.  We  proclaimed  a  fast,  with 
prayer,  for  the  Alethodists,  the  health  of  the  city,  the 
general  church,  and  the  continent.  N.  Snethen  gave  us  a 
melting,  nervous  discourse  on  the  occasion.  Hearts  were 
strangely  moved  by  the  truth.  It  is  said  there  is  a  special 
call  for  learned  men  to  the  ministry.  Some  may  think  so, 
but  I  presume  a  simple  man  can  speak  and  write  for 
simple,  plain  people,  upon  simple  truths. 

Little  Leistire  for  Writing 

June  24.  I  have  little  leisure  to  journalize.  My  soul 
has  constant  peace  and  joy,  notwithstanding  my  labors 
and  trials  and  reproach ;  which  I  heed  not,  though  it 
come,  as  it  sometimes  does,  from  the  good,  when  they 
are  not  gratified  in  all  their  wishes.  People  unacquainted 
with  the  causes  and  motives  of  my  conduct  will  always, 
more  or  less,  judge  of  me  improperly.  Six  months  ago  a 
man  could  write  to  me  in  the  most  adulatory  terms,  to 
tell  me  of  the  unshaken  confidence  reposed  in  me  by 
preachers  and  people.  Behold,  his  station  is  changed, 
and  certain  measures  are  pursued  which  do  not  comport 
with  his  views  and  feelings.  O,  then  I  am  menaced  with 
the  downfall  of  Methodism,  and  my  influence,  character, 
and  reputation  are  all  to  find  a  grave  in  the  ruins.  First, 
my  hill  is  made  so  strong  that  I  shall  never  be  moved ; 
anon,  O  man,  thou  hidest  thy  face  and  changest  thy  voice, 


S4B 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1804 


and   I  must  be  troubled,   forsooth!     But  I  am  just  as 
secure  as  ever,  as  to  what  man  can  do  or  say.     Should 


OLD    SAINT   DAVIDS    EPISCOPAL   CHURCH, 
CHERAW,  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Where  Jesse  Lee's  attention  was  called  to  the  spiritual  dearth  of  New 
England. 

this  Journal  ever  see  the  light,  those  who  read  it  when  I 
am  gone  may,  perhaps,  wonder  that  ever  I  should  have 
received  such  letters,  or  had  such  friends.     Yes,  gentle 


i8o4j  NEW  CHAPEL  IN  MIDDLETOWN        549 

reader,  both  have  been.  Whom  sliall  I  beheve,  and  wlioni 
shall  I  trnst?  Why,  whom  bnt  a  good  and  true  and 
never- failing  God? 

June  26.  We  passed  through  Middletown,  and  found 
that  our  brethren  were  about  to  purchase  a  lot  on  which 
to  build  a  chapel  on  a  small  scale.  We  rode  on  to  Hebron. 
1  have  made  four  hundred  and  twenty  miles  since  I  took 
my  departure  from  Baltimore.  At  Canterbury  we  lodged 
at  Captain  Lyons's.  The  day's  ride  brought  us  through 
Windham  and  Scotland. 

July  i.  I  preached  to  a  few  people  at  General  Lip- 
pett's  chapel.  My  subject  was  i  John  i.  3-7.  It  was  a 
gracious  season  to  the  speaker  and  the  hearers.  Sylvester 
Hutchinson,  my  traveling  companion,  gave  them  a  ser- 
mon in  the  afternoon.  I  came  this  way  only  to  hear  how 
the  preachers  had  conducted  their  work. 

Through  Two  States 

July  24  (Vermont).  We  came  in  haste  to  West- 
minster, to  breakfast.  This  is  another  pleasant  little 
town  ;  it  may  have  fifty  houses.  At  Putney  we  found  a 
stream,  mills,  a  store,  and  a  tavern.  Passing  over  a  slate 
ridge,  and  through  Dummerston,  we  came  to  Brattle- 
boro,  which  we  found  a  pleasant  place,  with  the  advan- 
tage of  a  stream,  well  employed  as  a  mill  power.  At 
Guilford  we  rested  with  Mr.  Jacobs,  from  three  o'clock 
in  the  evening  imtil  the  next  morning,  when  we  took  our 
departure  from  our  host,  and  from  the  state  of  Vermont. 
At  Greenfield,  in  Massachusetts,  we  breakfasted,  having 
passed  Bernardston,  the  first  village  we  entered  in  the 
state.  We  started  away  again  to  Deerfield,  and  Conway, 
and  Ashfield,  and  Plainfield,  and  Cummington,  and  Wind- 
sor, and  Dalton,  and  Pittsfield,  and  Richmond,  and  so  out 
of  the  state ;  but  I  was  glad  to  stop  fifteen  miles  short 
of  Pittsfield,  after  riding  over  dreadful  hills  and  rocks 
forty-five  miles.     We  lodged  at  a  tavern,  weary,  weary 


550  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1804 

enough !  We  took  our  breakfast  with  Robert  Green,  in 
Pittsfield.  Here  we  crossed  the  head  branch  of  the 
Housatonic   River. 

July  26.  We  lodged  at  David  Wager's,  in  the  state 
of  New  York.  Next  day  we  directed  our  course  through 
Claverack,  and  came  in  to  Robert  Sands's,  Rhinebeck, 
about  five  o'clock.  I  suffered  from  hunger,  and  was 
skinned  several  times.  Since  I  left  New  York  I  have  spent 
$15,  feeding  man  and  beast  by  the  way,  and  my  com- 
panions were  also  obliged  to  do  so.  I  have  seen  the  suf- 
ferings of  our  preachers,  and  they  have  awakened  all  my 
sympathies.  Seventeen  times  we  dined,  fed,  or  supped 
at  taverns ;  and  well  it  was  we  had  these  to  go  to,  else 
we  had  been  starved.  We  have  crossed  the  east  and  west 
ends  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  and  have 
ridden  about  three  hundred  miles  in  the  state  of  New 
York,  a  hard  but  satisfactory  journey. 

A  Feast  of  Charity 

July  29.  We  had  our  feast  of  charity,  and  the  Lord's 
Supper  followed.  I  preached  in  an  orchard,  upon  Matt. 
II.  3-6.  We  had  about  one  thousand  hearers.  I  rested 
at  Brother  Garrettson's. 

Aug.  I.  We  have  ridden  fifty  miles  to-day,  over  a 
path  so  rough  and  uneven  we  could  not  get  along  fast. 
I  have  made,  I  judge,  one  thousand  and  fifty  miles  since 
I  left  Baltimore ;  and  there  still  remain  one  thousand 
miles  between  me  and  Mount  Gerizim,  the  seat  of  our 
Conference  for  the  first  of  October  next. 

Aug.  19  (Baltimore).  I  preached  in  Light  Street 
Church.  My  subject  was  Luke  14.  25-27.  At  three 
o'clock  I  preached  at  Mr.  Otterbein's,  on  i  Tim.  6.  6-10. 
I  am  inclined  to  think  preaching  must  be  in  the  lanes  and 
streets  of  the  cities.  I  advised  the  preachers  to  go  out 
to  the  churchyards.  To  the  sisters  I  recommended  more 
frequent  prayer  meetings.     I  revised  the  Revised  Form 


i8o4] 


REVISES  DISCIPLINE 


551 


of  the  spiritual  part  of  our  Discipline.    I  had  long  wished 
to  separate  the  most  excellent  from  the  excellent. 

Aug.  20.  I  hegan  my  Western  tour,  bending  my  course 
up  to  Cornelius  Howard's.  Lodged  with  Alexander 
Warfield,  upon  Sam's  Creek.  My  appointment  at  Lin- 
ganou   Chajx.'!   the  iiext   day   was  not  generally  known. 


OLD    LIGHT    STREET    CHURCH,    DALTIMORE. 

I  preached  to  a  few,  and  went  to  dine  with  Ephraim 
Howard.     We  reach  friend  Shalmudine's  in  the  evening. 

Aug.  24.  Breakfasted  with  Mrs.  Gough,  at  Bath.  I 
found  Mr.  Lyell  here,  his  mind  deeply  engaged  with  his 
new  design.  He  was  very  attentive  to  me.  After  resting 
three  hours  I  came  away. 

Aug.   25.      Starting  at   six   o'clock,    I   made   fourteen 


552  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1804 

miles  to  Clarke's  tavern,  to  breakfast,  through  mountain 
rain  and  over  mountain  roads.  After  a  long  absence  I 
came  once  more  to  John  Jacobs's.  From  him  I  had  the 
awful  account  of  the  awful  end  of  Joseph  Cromwell.  He 
had  walked  backward,  according  to  his  own  account : 
three  days  he  lost  in  drunkenness ;  three  days  he  lay  sick 
in  darkness,  no  manifestations  of  God  to  his  soul ;  and 
thus  he  died !  We  can  only  hope  that  God  had  mercy 
on  him.  Compare  this  with  what  I  have  recorded  of 
his  labors  and  his  faithfulness  in  another  part  of  my 
journal.  Brother  Jacobs  preached  his  funeral  sermon, 
and  gave  a  brief  sketch  of  his  life,  his  fall,  and  his  death. 
His  text  was,  "Tell  it  not  in  Gath,  publish  it  not  in  the 
streets  of  Askelon."     How  appropriate  the  choice ! 

Companionship  of  Local  Preachers 

Aug.  2"].  We  crossed  <he  North  Branch  of  the  Poto- 
mac three  times,  and  climbed  over  the  mountain,  but  not 
without  rain.  Now  I  have  left  the  traveling  preachers 
to  mind  their  own  work,  and  I  only  make  my  appoint- 
ments when  I  come  to  the  places.  The  local  preachers 
are  my  guides,  and  good  guides,  and  good  aids,  and  good 
companions  they  are. 

Sept.  4.  I  ordained  Andrew  Hemphill  a  deacon,  at 
family  prayer,  at  Brother  Murphy's.  We  came  in  com- 
pany to  the  widow  Hawthorn's.  Out  of  eight  children, 
here  are  seven  subjects  of  grace.  News  came  after  me 
that  Bishop  Whatcoat  had  appeared  at  Connellsville.  As 
I  had  failed  to  come  along  by  Carlisle,  he  thought  I 
might  be  sick,  or  lame,  or  dead,  and  that  it  was  time  for 
him  to  bestir  himself. 

Oct.  9.  After  thirty-four  days  of  afflictive  illness  I 
recommence  my  Journal.  I  have  been,  during  my  sick- 
ness, at  Harry  Stevens's ;  kinder  souls  than  this  family  I 
could  not  wish,  but  there  were  many  of  them  and  others 
continually  coming  and  going.     I  had  two  doctors,  but 


i8o4]  A  DAILY  FEVER  553 

at  last  was  happily  left  to  myself  and  Charles  Conway. 
The  fever  suhsided  and  left  a  cough.  I  have  not  had 
a  more  severe  attack  since  I  have  been  in  America.  The 
doctor  was  seldom  right,  and  medicines  were  not  to  be 
had,  nor,  indeed,  the  comfort  and  alleviations  which  sur- 
round a  sick  bed  in  the  cities.  But  the  best  of  all  was, 
God  was  with  us.  God,  the  glorious  Lord,  appeared. 
I  was  led  into  the  visions  of  God ;  I  shouted  his  praise. 

Oct.  14.  I  preached.  Riding  brought  on  a  daily  fever, 
and  an  inveterate  cough.  Brother  Whatcoat  being  un- 
able to  ride  at  a  greater  speed  than  a  walk,  I  exchanged 
my  mare  for  his  horse.  We  made  more  speed  by  this 
arrangenfent,  but  his  great  beast  jolted  me  in  such  a 
manner  as  I  could  not  have  borne  in  health.  I  was 
pressed  above  measure,  so  that  I  despaired  of  life,  or 
health,  or  making  our  journey  in  this  manner.  We  have 
lost  the  Kentucky  Conference,  and  have  about  eleven 
weeks  for  our  trip  of  fifteen  hundred  miles  to  Charles- 
ton.   We  were  compelled  to  spend  a  week  at  John  Beck's. 

"Westward,  Ho" 

Nov.  3.  It  is  wonderful  to  see  how  Braddock's  Road 
is  crowded  with  wagons  and  packhorscs  carrying  fam- 
ilies and  their  household  stuff  westward — to  the  new 
state  of  Ohio,  no  doubt.  I  saw  the  death  of  Wilson  Lee 
confirmed  in  the  Frederick  Gazette.  He  was  born  near 
Lewes,  Delaware ;  he  was  of  a  slender  habit  of  body, 
but  active,  diligent,  and  upright  in  his  w^alk,  a  pattern  of 
neatness  in  his  habits  and  attire,  and  full  of  gentleness, 
meekness,  and  love.  His  presence  commanded  respect ; 
his  zeal  for  God  was  great,  and  his  labors  successful,  and 
continually  so.  Few  excelled  him  in  the  duties  of  a 
presiding  elder ;  it  is  not  impossible  that  the  toils  of 
this  important  oflfice  have  been  too  great  for  his  feeble 
frame.  He  had  been  twenty  years  and  ten  months  in  the 
Methodist  connection. 


554  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1804 

Nov.  4.  I  spoke  in  Cresap's  mill,  upon  Heb.  2.  2,  3. 
After  sermon  we  rode  to  James  Cresap's.  Notwithstand- 
ing what  had  passed  at  Cokesbury,  he  received  me  as 
a  father ;  that  matter  might  have  been  managed  better. 
We  were  to  have  the  boys  become  all  angels. 

The  discipline  at  Cokesbury  was  severe.  Punishments  were 
frequent.  Asbury  had  now  come  to  realize  this.  His  stu- 
dents, however,  always  regarded  him  with  marked  esteem  and 
affection. 

No\'.  II.  I  preached,  feebly,  upon  John  i.  50.  The 
superintendent  bishop  of  the  Methodist  Church  in  Amer- 
ica being  reduced  to  two  dollars,  he  was  obliged  to  make 
his  wants  known. 

Memoirs  of  Waiters  and  Gibson 

Dec.  17.  I  came  to  James  Rcmbert's,  upon  Black 
River,  twenty  miles.  I  wish  I  could  be  more  solitary 
this  week.  On  Tuesday  I  kept  close,  that  I  might  finish 
the  short  memoirs  of  Nicholas  Watters  and  Tobias  Gib- 
son, both  deceased  this  year. 

Asbury  was  greatly  bereaved  this  year.  Three  of  his  most 
efficient  preachers  had  died.  His  opinion  of  Wilson  Lee 
appears  in  his  Journal  under  date  of  November  3.  Nicholas 
Watters  was  the  brother  of  William  Watters,  who  was  the  first 
American-bom  Methodist  preacher,  and  like  his  brother 
preached  with  great  acceptance  in  several  states.  Tobias 
Gibson  was  the  pioneer  itinerant  in  the  Southern  Mississippi 
Valley,  a  man  of  unsullied  reputation  and  ceaseless  labors. 

Christmas  Day.  I  gave  them  a  sermon  upon  Isa. 
9.  6:  "For  unto  us  a  child  is  born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given : 
and  the  government  shall  be  upon  his  shoulder:  and  his 
name  shall  be  called  Wonderful.  Counselor,  The  mighty 
God,  The  everlasting  Father,  The  Prince  of  Peace."  A 
"child,"  after  his  human  nature ;  a  "son" — of  God.  "The 
government  shall  be  upon  his  shoulder" — upon  the 
shoulder  it  was  that  ancient  temporal  governors  carried 
their  badge  of  office.      His   "shoulder"   shall  be  strong 


i8o5]  CHRISTMAS  SERMON  555 

cnoug-h  for  the  thousands  of  his  faithful  ministers,  and 
the  milhons  of  his  faitliful  ministers,  and  the  milhons  of 
his  faithful  people  in  his  church  militant,  who  shall  con- 
fide in  his  streno^th.  "His  name  shall  be  called" — that  is, 
he  shall  in  reality  be  what  he  is  called.  "Wonderful" — 
that  is,  a  mysterious  and  miraculous  person  in  his  mani- 
festations— in  his  birth,  spiritual  and  holy  ;  and  in  his 
miracles,  notable.  ])erfect,  and  undeniable.  "Counselor" 
this  may  refer  to  his  ministry — his  prophetic,  priestly, 
and  kingly  offices.  "Mighty  God" — mighty  in  the  power 
of  his  grace.  "The  Everlasting  Father" — as  such,  giving 
life,  and  life  eternal.  "Prince  of  Peace" — giving  and 
preserving  peace  in  his  kingdom ;  and  thus  contradis- 
tinguished from  temporal  princes,  who  are  so  generally 
promoters  of  war. 

Good  News  from  Many  Places 

Dec.  29.  Many  letters  came  from  various  parts,  which 
I  answered.  Daniel  Hall  made  me  glad  by  his  account 
of  the  Suffolk  camp  meeting :  in  four  days  they  calcu- 
late there  having  been  as  many  hundred  converted  to 
God.  Two  letters  from  Philadel])hia  annoimce  to  me  that 
nearly  one  hundred  souls  have  been  converted  in  the  dif- 
ferent congregations  since  October.  I  have  a  pleasing 
account  also  of  the  success  of  a  camp  meeting  in  New 
York  State. 

Jan.  I,  1805  (Charleston).  We  opened  our  Confer- 
ence. I  preached  upon  Col.  4.  5 :  "Walk  in  wisdom 
toward  them  that  are  without,  redeeming  the  time."  To 
"walk  in  wisdom  toward  them  that  are  without"  is  to 
purchase  the  present  and  future  time,  both  of  which  are 
in  our  power.  The  highest  "wisdom"  of  ministers  is  to 
propound  and  set  forth  faithfully  the  end  and  motive 
of  thus  "walking."  Christians  "walk  in  wisdom"  when 
they  earnestly  seek  perfection  by  the  best  and  only  means  ; 
and  in  the  highest  "wisdom,"  when  in  the  possession  of 


556  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1805 

all  the  communicable  fullness  of  perfect  love.  The  in- 
tendant  of  the  city  has  forbidden  our  prayer  meetings 
with  the  blacks  before  the  rising  sun  ;  nor  must  the  even- 
ing meetings  be  held  later  than  nine  o'clock.  The  preach- 
ers are  seriously  occupied  with  the  work  of  the  Confer- 
ence ;  and  they  are  countrymen,  and  do  not  speak  boldly 
as  they  ought  to  speak ;  but  I  believe  real  good  has  been 
and  will  be  consequent  upon  the  sitting  of  this  Confer- 
ence. I  will  here  observe,  that  we. have  admitted  upon 
trial  eighteen  preachers  in  the  Western,  and  eleven  in 
the  Southern,  Conference ;  and  added  two  thousand  mem- 
bers within  the  bounds  of  each,  notwithstanding  a  great 
mortality,  and  the  constant  removal  to  new  lands. 

Home  is  Home 

Jan.  14.  I  was  invited  to  preach  in  the  statehouse  at 
Fayetteville,  but  it  did  not  suit  my  mind  at  all;  the  object 
of  our  visit  was  a  Methodist  congregation  and  society. 
Home  is  home ;  ours  is  plain,  to  be  sure,  but  it  is  our 
duty  to  condescend  to  men  of  low  estate,  and  therefore 
I  felt  justified  in  declining  the  polite  invitation  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Flinn,  to  officiate  in  his  meetinghouse.  I  must 
take  the  road  again.  O,  what  sweetness  I  feel  as  I  steal 
along  through  the  solitary  woods !  I  am  sometimes  ready 
to  shout  aloud,  and  make  all  vocal  with  the  praises 
of  His  grace  who  died,  and  lives,  and  intercedes  for  me. 

Feb.  10.  At  Portsmouth  I  preached  upon  Luke  3.  6: 
"All  flesh  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God:"  i.  The  excel- 
lencies of  this  salvation  ;  it  is  a  common  salvation,  a  great 
salvation,  the  salvation  of  God ;  2.  The  nature  of  this 
salvation:  in  its  degrees  of  justification,  sanctification, 
and  glorification ;  3.  The  present  subjects  of  salvation — 
infants  and  believers.  The  ample  means  furnished  to 
all,  that  they  may  see  this  salvation — faithful  ministers, 
faithful,  consistent,  praving  professors,  and  all  the  holy 
ordinances  of  the  church. 


i8o5]  METHODIST  CONGRESSMEN  557 

Asbury  uses  this  text  for  the  ordination  sermon  at  the  Phila- 
delphia Conference  this  year,  entered  in  his  Journal  under  date 
of  May  r.     He  treats  it  somewhat  differently,  however. 

Vev..  13.  General  Wells  and  family  have  returned  to 
us :  Willis  Wells  is  coming  back  from  following-  O'Kelly, 
besides  twenty  other  members  who  had  been  drawn  away ; 
they  profess  to  have  had  enough  of  him.  Mr.  O'Kelly 
has  come  down  with  great  zeal,  and  preaches  three  hours 
at  a  time  upon  government,  monarchy,  and  episco])acy ; 
occasionally  varying  the  subject  by  abuse  of  the  Metho- 
dists, calling  them  aristocrats  and  Tories ;  a  people  who, 
if  they  had  the  power,  would  force  the  government  at 
the  sword's  point.  Poor  man !  The  Methodists  have  but 
two  of  their  very  numerous  society  members  of  Con- 
gress ;  and  until  these  democratic  times  we  never  had  one. 
I  question  if,  in  all  the  public  legislative  bodies  in  the 
seventeen  United  States,  there  are  more  than  twenty 
members  Alethodists.  No;  our  people  are  a  very  inde- 
pendent people,  who  think  for  themselves ;  and  are  as 
apt  to  differ  in  politics  (so  do  the  preachers),  and  divide 
at  the  hustings,  as  those  of  any  other  denomination ;  and 
surely  they  are  not  seekers  of  the  offices  of  this  world's 
profit  or  honor.  If  they  were,  what  might  they  not  gain 
in  many  parts  of  the  United  States?  While  one  rails  at 
us,  others,  who  are  always  fond  of  fishing  in  troubled 
waters,  take  those  who  are  already  in  our  net,  or,  hunting 
on  forbidden  ground,  pick  up  our  crippled  game. 

Asbtiry^s  Appreciation  of  Ira  Ellis 

Feb.  22.  I  gave  a  letter  of  recommendation  to  our 
beloved  brother  Ira  Ellis,  who  having"  labored  for  four- 
teen years  located  in  1795.  As  Brother  Ellis  is  about  to 
travel  extensively  upon  business  of  consequence  to  him- 
self, the  letter  was  addressed  to  "the  Ministers,  Members, 
and  Friends  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United   States,"  and   was   signed  by  Richard  Whatcoat 


SS8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1805 

also.  I  desire  to  render  to  all  their  due.  Ira  Ellis  is 
a  man  of  quick  and  solid  parts.  I  have  often  thought 
that  had  fortune  given  him  the  same  advantages  of  edu- 
cation he  would  have  displayed  abilities  not  inferior  to 
a  Jefferson  or  a  Madison.  But  he  has,  in  an  eminent 
degree,  something  better  than  learning,  he  has  undis- 
sembled  sincerity,  great  modesty,  deep  fidelity,  great  in- 
genuity, and  uncommon  power  of  reasoning.  His  Eng- 
lish schooling  has  been  good  :  he  is  a  good  arithmetician, 
and  expeditious  and  ready  with  his  pen.  In  the  Con- 
ferences and  elsewhere,  as  my  secretary,  he  has  been  of 
signal  service  to  me.  He  is  a  good  man,  of  most  even 
temper,  whom  I  never  saw  angry,  but  often  in  heavi- 
ness through  manifold  temptations.  He  is  a  good 
preacher  too.  Ira  Ellis  is  married  to  an  agreeable  woman, 
who  has  made  him  the  father  of  three  beautiful,  serious 
little  children. 

Feb.  25.  We  rode  to  John  Seward's  through  the  rain. 
William  and  Sterling  are  among  the  rich — so  called. 
They  had  been  deistical  in  their  notions,  but  appear  to 
be  sincere  and  zealous  now.  Bishop  Coke  had  been  made 
a  blessing  to  William  and  his  lady. 

Fer.  27.  Rode  twenty  miles  to  Edmund  Taylor's,  the 
seat  of  the  Virginia  Conference.  We  felt  a  little  serious, 
thinking  our  elder  children  and  strong  sons  would  leave 
us  by  location  ;  and  that  we  should  have  none  but  old 
tottering  men,  and  green,  unpracticed  boys,  to  take  care 
of  the  plantation ;  but  we  have  a  great  husbandman, 
Jesus,  and  a  good  God. 

Mar.  I.  We  opened  our  yearly  Conference  for  Vir- 
ginia at  Edmund  Taylor's,  Granville  County,  North 
Carolina.  We  closed  our  sitting  on  Friday  evening, 
following.  I  have  so  frequently  noticed  the  affairs  of 
Conferences,  and  they  are  so  common,  that  I  will  only 
observe  of  this  that  we  added  fourteen  preachers,  and 
located  four.    Our  business  we  conducted  in  great  peace, 


1805]  THE  YEAR'S  INCREASE  559 

and   wc   had   prcachiiif;-  as   usual.      Our   increase   is  one 
thousand  nine  hun(h-e(l  meml)ers.     The  work  prospers. 

A  Living  Sacrifice 

Mar.  25.  We  stopped  at  I-'ront  Royal,  or  League- 
town.  I  preached  at  three  o'clock,  and  Brother  Whatcoat 
at  night.  My  suhject  was  Rom.  12.  1,  2:  "1  beseech  you, 
therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  ye  present 
your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  unto  God, 
which  is  your  reasonable  service.  And  be  not  conformed 
to  this  world  :  but  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of 
your  mind,  that  ye  may  prove  what  is  that  good,  and 
acceptable,  and  perfect,  will  of  God."  It  was  observed 
that  the  apostle's  form  of  address  was  excellent,  and  par- 
ticularly directed  to  the  Christian  believers,  the  subjects 
of  grace ;  that  the  people  of  the  "world"  who  lived  in 
conformity  to  its  manners  and  maxims  lived  in  their 
proper  element ;  "but  ye,"  said  our  Lord  in  addressing 
believers,  "are  not  of  the  world,  as  I  am  not  of  the 
world,  because  I  have  called  you  out  of  the  w^orld."  The 
apostle  had  in  view  one  thing,  in  two  parts,  namely,  the 
devotion  of  the  whole  man,  body  and  soul,  to  God ;  with- 
out which  the  man  cannot  be  a  Christian,  perfect  and 
entire.  "Present  your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice ;"  this 
can  only  be  done  by  abstaining  from  all  things  sinful  in 
practice.  We  must  not  only  live  in  the  use  of  unlawful 
things,  but  we  must  not  indulge  in  the  unlawful  use  of 
lawful  things:  it  is  lawful  to  eat,  but  not  to  gluttony; 
it  is  lawful  to  drink,  but  not  to  drunkenness ;  it  is  lawful 
to  be  married,  but  it  is  unlawful  for  either  husband  or 
wife  to  idolize  the  other.  We  ought  to  make  the  facul- 
ties of  our  bodies  subservient  to  the  worship  and  service 
of  God — our  eyes  to  see  for  God,  our  ears  to  hear,  our 
hands  to  be  liberal,  our  feet  to  move  for  God  so  as  to 
do  or  suffer — this  is  "reasonable  service" :  and  thus  occu- 
pied, the  "mercies  of  God"  excite  us  properly,  and  we  are 


56o 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1805 


"not  conformed  to  this  world."  That  we  be  "renewed 
in  our  minds" — that  all  the  powers  of  the  soul  be  given 
in  love  and  service  to  the  Lord ;  in  conviction  for  in- 
dwelling sin,  the  repentance  of  believers ;  in  sanctifica- 
tion.  persevering  grace,  perfect  love,  and  the  fruition — 
perfect  and  eternal  glory.  We  "prove  the  will  of  God" 
by  this — to  be  good,  to  be  "acceptable"  to  our  own  souls. 


LOVELY  LANE  PREACHING  HOUSE,  BALTIMORE. 
The  first  house  built  and  occupied  for  Methodist  preaching  in  Baltimore. 

and  to  be  "perfect"  in  our  Christian  perfection,  holiness, 
and  happiness  eternal. 

A  Preacher  Refuses  His  Station 

Apr.  I.  We  opened  the  Baltimore  Conference,  sitting 
five  days  in  very  great  order  and  peace.  We  had  seventy- 
four  preachers  present.  I  have  made.  I  calculate,  three 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  the  first  of 
June,  1804,  to  the  tenth  of  April,  1805.  L.  McCombs 
refused  to  take  his  station  ;  after  some  alterations  were 
made  he  consented  to  go  to  Philadelphia. 

Apr.  16.     At  Perry  Hall  I  spent  a  night.     The  house, 


1805]  SOURCE  OF  AUTHORITY  561 

spacious  and  splendid,  was  newly  painted,  and  the  little 
grandchildren  were  s^ay  and  playful,  hut  I  and  the  elders 
of  the  house  felt  that  it  was  evening  with  us. 

Conference  Sermon 

May  I  (Chestertown,  JNlaryland).  Our  Conference 
began.  One  day  was  occupied  with  the  appeal  of  Caleb 
Kendall.  On  the  Sabbath  I  was  called  to  duty ;  I  spoke 
on  Luke  3.  6:  "All  flesh  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God:" 

1,  The  perception;  the  sense  in  which  this  object  is  seen; 

2.  By  whom?  "By  all;"  3.  The  provision  made  for  this, 
and  the  cause  of  its  operation  ;  the  love  of  God,  the  gen- 
eral atonement,  the  general  influences  of  the  Spirit,  the 
number  of  ministers,  and  the  general  commission  to 
"preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,"  the  number  of 
Christians  and  praying  souls ;  the  hindrances  that  ob- 
struct the  universal  and  efficacious  spread  of  the  gospel ; 
they  were  diabolical  and  human.  We  ordained  elders 
Boehm,  Aikins,  Polhemus,  Wiltbank,  Asa  Smith,  and 
Benjamin  Ilifi^. 

Henry  Boehm,  who  became  Bishop  Asbury's  traveling  com- 
panion, says  many  years  after  in  his  Reminiscences:  "I  can 
almost  feel  the  hands  of  the  sainted  Asbury  as  well  as  of  the 
elders  still  resting  on  my  head,  and  hear  the  echoes  of  his  voice. 
My  parchments  I  have  preserved  as  carefully  as  if  diamonds." 

May  to.  We  reached  Philadelphia,  eighty  miles  in 
two  days.  Sarah  Williams  has  left  £200  to  the  disjwsal 
of  Bishop  Whatcoat  and  myself.  We  ordered  its  appli- 
cation to  the  Chartered  Fund.  Thank  the  Lord !  I  am 
happy  in  the  midst  of  the  murmurs  of  many  who  are 
disappointed  because  I  do  not  meet  their  strange  expecta- 
tions. O,  what  a  wonder  if  I  walk  officially  straight, 
when  so  many  would  wish  me  to  incline  a  little  to  the 
right  or  left,  as  their  whims  and  fancies  would  lead ! 

May  22  (New  York).  Li  this  state  the  subjects  of 
succession,  rebai)tizing,  arc  much  agitated.  I  will  tell 
the  world  what  I  rest  my  authority  upon:  i.  Divine  au- 


562  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1805 

thority ;  2.  Seniority  in  America  ;  3.  The  election  of  the 
General  Conference ;  4.  My  ordination  by  Thomas  Coke, 
William  Philip  Otterbcin,  German  Presbyterian  minister, 
Richard  Whatcoat,  and  Thomas  Vasey ;  5.  Because  the 
signs  of  an  apostle  have  been  seen  in  me. 

Wesley's  Labors 

May  31.  I  read  the  latter  part  of  Mr.  Wesley's  Jour- 
nal. How  great  and  unceasing  were  his  labors ;  how 
various,  comprehensive,  and  just  are  his  observations  on 
nien,  women,  modes,  manners,  doctrines,  opinions,  au- 
thors, and  things !  I  have  felt  myself  strongly  urged  to 
pray  after  every  meal,  where  the  families  are  in  the  habit 
of  prayer ;  but  I  believe  there  are  Methodist  households 
that  sometimes  fall  in  my  way  who  never  pray  in  this 
way:  and  is  this  our  poor  success,  after  eighteen  years 
of  faithful  labors? 

June  2.  I  spoke  at  Rhinebeck  Chapel,  on  Joel 
2.  28,  29:  "It  shall  come  to  pass  afterward,  that  I  will 
pour  out  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh  ;  and  your  sons  and 
your  daughters  shall  prophesy,  your  old  men  shall  dream 
dreams,  your  young  men  shall  see  visions ;  and  also  upon 
the  servants  and  upon  the  handmaids  in  those  days  will 
I  pour  out  my  Spirit."  The  preacher's  mind  was  some- 
what clouded,  or  he  might  have  better  shown:  i.  What 
are  the  common  and  extraordinary  operations  of  the 
Spirit;  2.  The  subjects  of  this  operation — the  children  of 
God,  and  their  children ;  the  "servants"  of  God,  and  their 
servants  and  slaves ;  the  "old  men"  of  the  first  genera- 
tion living,  down  to  the  third  and  fourth ;  "young  men," 
gay  and  forgetful ;  "young  women,"  giddy  and  thought- 
less ;  rich  and  poor ;  3.  The  provision  that  is  made  for 
this — in  the  love  of  God,  in  the  death  of  Christ,  in  the 
general  grace  of  God,  dispensed  by  men  and  means. 

June  7.  We  opened  our  camp-meeting  exercises  in 
the  pine  woods  at  Stillwater.     It  continued  four  days 


1805]  GROVE  MEETING  563 

and  three  nights.  Preachers  were  present  from  Canada, 
Vermont,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  New  York,  and 
New  Jersey.  There  were  many  people,  many  sermons, 
many  j^rayers,  many  sinners,  many  saints,  and  Httle  in- 
termission, night  or  day,  of  labors  and  praises.  The 
particulars  may  be  printed. 

June  ii.  We  came  twenty-five  miles  to  Ashgrove, 
and  next  day  opened  Conference.  On  the  eighteenth 
the  Conference  rose  at  noon.  We  had  blessed  harmony 
and  order,  and  I  never  heard  less  murmuring  about  the 
stations,  of  which  there  were  sixty-two  upon  the  list, 
and  two  having  no  appointments,  because  of  debility. 
The  committee  of  business  and  the  committee  of  ad- 
dresses were  very  attentive  to  the  afifairs  brought  before 
them,  and  their  labors  were  highly  approved.  By  allow- 
ing the  usual  provision  for  married  preachers  and  their 
wives  (no  supplies  given  for  the  children)  the  Confer- 
ence was  insolvent  $1,700.  There  were  about  $800  in 
money,  and  other  things,  given  to,  and  given  away  by, 
the  Conference. 

June  20.  We  came  through  Pownal,  in  Vermont, 
to  Williamstown,  IMassacluisetts,  the  seat  of  the  college, 
containing  two  houses,  one  probably  sixty  by  forty  feet ; 
the  other,  one  hundred  by  fifty  feet,  four  stories,  of  brick. 

July  8.  We  took  the  turnpike  for  Lynn,  passing  over 
a  bridge  three  quarters  of  a  mile  long,  said  to  have  cost 
$40,000.  It  is  rather  a  causeway,  thrown  over  a  marsh — 
plenty  of  flies  and  mosquitoes.  I  found  Peter  Jayne  in 
the  new  house  built  for  the  accommodation  of  the  sta- 
tioned preacher  at  Lynn.  God  is  moving  among  the 
people  here ;  they  are  prepared  for  the  Conference. 

Marriage  of  Bishop  Coke 

July  9.  At  Marblehead  I  spoke  on  Gal.  4.  20:  'T 
desire  to  be  present  with  you  now,  and  to  change  my 
voice;  for  I  stand  in  doubt  of  3^ou."     i.  Evangelical  men. 


564  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1805 

or  apostolic  witnesses,  may  feel  a  desire  to  be  present 
with  societies  at  particular  times  when  it  is  in  their 
power ;  they  will,  where  this  cannot  be  done,  write ; 
2.  That  there  may  be  very  alarming  and  doubtful  cases 
and  characters  in  the  congregation  and  church,  such 
as  open  sinners,  hypocrites,  half-awakened  souls,  back- 
sliders, slothful  believers ;  3.  Changing  the  voice,  using 
a  different  method,  as  to  matter  and  manner  of  preach- 
ing or  writing,  pointing  at  the  cases  and  characters  which 
are  doubtful.  I  received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Coke,  announc- 
ing to  me  his  marriage ;  and  advising  me  that  he  did  not 
intend  to  visit  America  again  as  a  visitor,  but  rather  as 
a  sojourner,  if  at  all,  could  work  be  appointed  him  to  do. 
Marriage  is  honorable  in  all,  but  to  me  it  is  a  ceremony 
awful  as  death.  Well  may  it  be  so,  when  I  calculate  we 
have  lost  the  traveling  labors  of  two  hundred  of  the  best 
men  in  America,  or  the  world,  by  marriage  and  conse- 
quent location. 

July  12.  We  had  a  full  Conference.  Preaching  at 
five,  at  eleven,  and  at  eight  o'clock.  Sitting  of  Confer- 
ence from  half  past  eight  o'clock  until  eleven,  in  the  fore- 
noon, and  from  two  until  six  o'clock,  in  the  afternoon. 
We  had  great  order,  and  harmony,  and  strict  discipline 
withal.     Sixteen  deacons  and  eight  elders  were  ordained. 

July  14.  We  held  our  meeting  in  a  grove  belonging 
to  Benjamin  Johnson,  a  beautiful  and  sequestered  spot, 
though  near  the  meetinghouse.  My  subject  was  i  Thess. 
2.  6-9.  I.  The  system  of  imparting  the  "Gospel  of  God," 
which  is  preaching  Christ ;  2.  The  doctrines,  privileges, 
precepts,  and  power  of  this  "Gospel" ;  3.  Apostolical 
purity  of  intention,  disinterestedness,  tempers,  manners, 
labors,  and  travels. 

July  21.  At  Wilbraham  I  spoke  on  2  Tim.  4.  5-8: 
"But  watch  thou  in  all  things,"  etc.  Introduction,  th,> 
special  relation  of  a  spiritual  father  and  son ;  the  time 
and     circumstances    peculiar     to     Paul    and     Timothy ; 


i8o5] 


THE  FIGHT  OF  FAITH 


56s 


"Watch,  in  all  things,"  as  a  Christian,  as  a  Christian 
minister  or  bishop.  Endnre  afflictions  of  mind  and  body, 
as  a  Christian  and  a  minister,  endure  heat,  c(jld,  hunger, 
thirst,  labor,  persecution,  temptations;  "do  the  work  of 
an  evangelist,"  spread  the  gospel  where  it  is  not,  support 
it  where  it  is.  Paul  knew  he  was  going  by  martyrdom ; 
he  had  "fought  a  good  fight  of  faith,"  and  by  faith  he 


I  Upon  mis  Site  stood  | 

1    lifELoVEiyLANfMEEJINGHbuSE  I 

I  ia'^KicnTws  otgduizect  | 

December^  84  | 

il]^Y^  MCThfoDisL  Episcopal  CMjRChf  I 

-I  •     T"f       T   f    •         f  C  P  i 

I  m  1  he  United  otates  or  i 

^  Americd       •  i 


MEMORIAL    TABLET,    MARKING    THE    SITE    OF    THE    LOVELY 
LANE   MEETINGHOUSE,   BALTIMORE,    MARYLAND. 

had  "kept"  justifying  "faith,"  which  some  had  made 
shipwreck  of;  the  "crown"  of  justifying  and  sanctify- 
ing and  practical  righteousness  was  waiting  to  encircle 
his  triumphant  brows,  a  "crown"  thrice  radiant  with  the 
three  degrees  of  glory.  In  conclusion  I  said  many  thyigs, 
and  with  great  plainness,  urging  the  necessity  of  being 
civilized,  moralized,  and  spiritualized  by  the  gospel  in  the 
plenitude  of  its  divine  operation. 

July  26.     I  lodged  under  the  hospitable  roof  of  the 


566  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1805 

widow  Sherwood.  On  my  road  hither  I  thought  I  saw 
what  would  make  a  good  campgromid ;  I  wrote  to  the 
presiding  elder,  advising  him  of  this  circumstance.  I  am 
still  bent  on  great  designs  for  God,  for  Christ,  for  souls. 

Buys  a  Jersey  Wagon 

Aug.  I.  We  found  ourselves  proclaimed  at  Philadel- 
phia as  at  New  York.  We  directed  our  course  to  Mr. 
Manley's  seat,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city.  I  re- 
ceived several  letters,  from  which  I  learn  that  there 
was  great  order  preserved  at  Duckcreek  camp  meet- 
ing, and  that  great  good  was  done  ;  three  hundred  souls 
were  blessed.  I  have  bought,  for  $100,  a  neat  little 
Jersey  wagon.  Remained  several  days  waiting  for  the 
Minutes  of  Conference,  and  my  little  wagon,  then  away 
to  the  West. 

Aug.  19.  We  reached  Bedford.  At  night  we  had 
fiddle  and  flute  to  enliven  our  prayers,  and  assist  our 
meditations.  I  had  but  little  rest.  On  Tuesday  we  rode 
sixteen  miles  to  breakfast.  We  stopped  at  Berlin,  and 
I  gave  them  a  sermon.  Wednesday  brought  us  over 
awful  roads  to  Connellsville,  forty-two  miles.  We  were 
nearly  wrecked.  I  am  indebted  to  a  kind  Providence  for 
my  good  little  wagon,  and  my  excellent  and  active  driver 
— and  good  preacher  too.  I  am  resolved  to  quit  this 
mountainous,  rocky,  rugged,  stumpy  route.  It  was  a 
mercy  of  God  we  were  not — men,  horses,  and  wagon — 
broken  in  pieces.  I  praise  God  now,  but  I  hardly  had 
time  to  pray  then.  I  have  ridden,  by  computation,  six- 
teen hundred  and  eighty  miles  since  I  left  Baltimore. 

At  Governor  Tifffn^s 

Sept.  2  (Ohio).  I  preached  at  Richland  Chapel,  on 
I  Pet.  5.  10.  I  find  here  the  children  of  Methodists, 
according  to  the  flesh,  known  elsewhere,  and  long  ago. 
Jonathan  Jackson  is  married.     O,  thou  pattern  of  celib- 


iSos]     REVIVAL  IN  NEW  SETTLEMENTS         567 

acy,  art  thou  caught  ?  Who  can  resist  ?  Our  married 
man  was  forty  years  of  age ;  he  has  taken  to  wife  a  Mrs. 
Roherts,  a  poor,  pious  widow.  Joseph  Crawford  is  very 
ill,  I  cannot  go  on.  I  have  sent  sixteen  miles  for  a  bottle 
of  wine  f(jr  him.  We  started  away  on  Tuesday,  and 
came  to  Judge  Van  Meter's,  at  the  Muddy  Prairie,  and 
dined  and  prayed ;  Brother  Crawford  still  ill.  We  stopped 
at  Crouse's  mill  for  the  evening.  Edward  Tiffin  brought 
us  up  on  Wednesday.  Thursday  and  Friday  Brother 
Crawford  could  not  move  on.  Dr.  Tiffin,  the  present 
governor  of  the  state,  administered  some  relief.  I  was 
happily  employed  in  reading  the  Portrait  of  Saint  Paul, 
by  the  divine   hdetcher. 

Sept.  12.  We  have  made  one  hundred  miles  in  four 
days.  I  was  made  glad  to  hear  of  the  revival  of  the  work 
of  God  in  the  new  settlements :  the  local  ministry  have 
shared  in  this  labor  with  the  traveling  preachers.  On 
Friday  we  came  down  the  east  branch  of  the  Little 
Miami,  to  Judge  Catch's.  On  Saturday  we  rested,  and 
I  read  and  wrote.  On  the  Sabbath  we  held  a  meeting 
of  four  hours  at  Philip  Catch's.  Brother  Whatcoat's 
subject  was,  "Repent  and  be  converted";  Joseph  Craw- 
ford's, 'T  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ" ;  and 
F.  Asbury's,  "I  have  no  greater  joy  than  this,  that  my 
children  walk  in  the  truth." 

Philip  Gatch,  one  of  his  old  preachers  in  ^Maryland  and  his 
opponent  in  the  sacramental  controversy  in  1779,  was  now  liv- 
ing in  Ohio,  one  of  the  leading  men  in  the  state.  He  was  still  a 
devoted  Methodist  and  rendered  valuable  service  in  establish- 
ing Jlethodism  in  Ohio.  Many  of  Asbury's  Maryland  friends 
had  moved  to  this  state  and  many  of  his  Virginia  friends  to 
Kentucky,  and  he  found  himself  often  now  in  the  Jiomes  of 
children  whose  parents  he  had  received  into  societies  in  the 
East. 

Sept.  21.  At  Benjamin  Coleman's.  On  the  Sabbath 
Brother  Crawford  and  myself  had  a  warm  time  of  it  at 
Mount  Gerizim,  where  we  have  alreadv  held  our  Con- 


568  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1805 

ference  twice.  We  both  preached.  We  visited  Daniel 
Grigg.  I  found  several  of  my  old  friends  at  this  place, 
among  them  Colonel  Barratt,  of  Alleghany,  and  his  wife ; 
some  from  Baltimore,  and  some  from  Delaware.  Thus 
our  people  are  scattered  abroad,  but  thank  the  Lord ! 
they  are  still  in  the  fold,  and  on  their  way  to  glory. 

Oct.  2  (Gerizim,  Kentucky).  We  opened  our  Con- 
ference in  great  peace ;  there  were  about  twenty-five 
members  present.  Six  hours  a  day  were  steadily  occu- 
pied with  business.  The  committees  of  claims  and  of 
addresses  did  much  work,  and  it  was  done  well.  I  com- 
pleted my  plan  for  the  coming  year,  and  submitted  it  to 
the  presiding  elders,  who  suggested  but  two  alterations. 

The  March  to  the  "West 

Oct.  15.  We  meet  crowds  of  people  directing  their 
march  to  the  fertile  West.  Their  sufferings  for  the 
present  are  great,  but  they  are  going  to  present  abun- 
dance, and  future  wealth  for  their  children.  Li  ten  years, 
I  think,  the  new  state  will  be  one  of  the  most  flourishing 
in  the  Union. 

Oct.  27  (South  Carolina).  At  Salem  I  preached  upon 
Hos.  10.  12:  "Sow  to  yourselves  in  righteousness,"  etc.: 
I.  The  great  and  gloriovis  end  of  the  coming  of  the  Lord : 
"to  rain  righteousness,"  to  impart  his  grace  in  all  its 
plenitude,  to  give  a  right  state  of  heart  in  justifying, 
sanctifying,  experimental,  and  practical  holiness.  "Reap 
in  mercy :"  wdien  God  gives,  do  you  give,  do  all  the  good 
in  your  power ;  2.  The  means  of  obtaining  this  grace, 
and  the  blessings  consequent  to  its  reception  and  im- 
provement ;  "Break  up  your  fallow  ground,"  seek  deep 
conviction ;  "Seek  the  Lord,"  by  repentance  and  faith 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  "Rain  righteousness  upon  you," 
by  justifying  grace ;  humble,  holy  obedience.  The  end, 
everlasting  life. 

Nov.    I    (Georgia).     I  preached  at  eleven  o'clock  on 


i8o5]  LIFE  OF  WASHINGTON  569 

I  Cor.  6.  19,  20.  Instead  of  l)iiil(liiiL;'  a  small  convenient 
house  (  Petersburc:),  they  have  boui;ht  an  old  house,  and 
fitted  up  a  room  for  everybody.  1'his  did  not  please  me. 
I  have,  for  the  first  time,  seen  Jud£j;e  Marshall's  Life  of 
Washington ;  1  have  read  four  hundred  pages  in  it. 
Critics  may,  for  aught  1  know,  find  fault  (especially  on 
the  other  side  of  the  water)  with  the  st}le  and  general 
execution  of  this  work ;  I  like  both.  The  early  history 
of  the  country  very  properly  precedes,  and  is  connected 
with  the  life  of  the  great  man  who  has  been  so  justly 
styled  the  father  (politically)  of  his  country.  There  is 
nothing  in  the  work  beneath  the  man  of  honor.  There 
are  no  malevolent  sentiments,  or  bitter  expressions,  derog- 
atory to  the  character  of  a  Christian.  The  author  de- 
serves credit  for  the  pains  he  has  taken  to  furnish 
authorities  and  authentic  record  in  the  notes  to  his  work. 
If  any  author  has,  in  America,  done  better  than  Mar- 
shall, it  is  Belknap,  perhaps. 

Jeremy   Belknap,   American   Biography,   two  vols.,    Boston, 
1794-1798- 

Now  II.  I  feel  very  serious  about  the  supplies  of 
preachers  for  the  South  Carolina  Conference.  Some  are 
sick,  some  are  settling  in  life — men  of  feeble  minds. 
Jkit  let  the  Head  of  the  church  see  to  his  own  work;  it 
is  not  mine.  Why  should  I  despond?  What  was  the 
work  thirty-seven  years  ago,  when  there  were  but  two 
local  preachers,  one  in  New  York  and  one  in  Maryland? 
Now  there  are  two  thousand  local  and  four  hundred 
traveling  preachers. 

Asbury's  Eyes  Begin  to  Fail 

Nov.  27.  We  reached  Mr.  Perry's,  the  next  day  came 
into  Charleston.  From  Augusta  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles — heavy  rides,  and  weary  men  and  horses.  I  have 
lately  read  the  Life  of  David  Brainerd,  a  man  of  my 
make,  such  a  constitution,  and  of  great  labors.     His  reli- 


570  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1805 

gion  was  all  gold,  the  purest  gold.  !My  eyes  fail ;  I  must 
keep  them  for  the  IJible  and  the  Conferences. 

Now  29  (South  Carolina).  Engaged  in  closest  exer- 
cises. I  do  not  find  matters  as  I  wish :  one  preacher 
has  deserted  his  station,  and  there  are  contentions  among 
the  Africans. 

Dec.  I.  "Still  heavy  in  my  heart;  still  sink  my  spirits 
down."  At  Cumberland  Street  Church  I  sjx)ke  upon 
Rev.  7.  13-17.  My  two  general  heads  were:  i.  The 
gracious  although  afflicted  state  of  God's  people  in  this 
world ;  2.  The  glorious  state  of  the  righteous  in  heaven. 
Our  lower  floor  was  nearly  filled  with  communicants, 
white  and  black.  Do  they  all  indeed  "discern  the  Lord's 
body"?  It  will  never  do  for  me  to  record  all  I  fear, 
hear,  and  think.  At  Bethel  Church  I  took  for  my  text 
Rom.  12.  9-12.  I  observed  that  the  text  contained  evan- 
g£lical  Christian  duties,  privileges,  promises,  and  marks 
by  which  we  might  judge  of  ourselves  as  Christians ; 
that  if  these  marks,  and  this  experience,  were  not  upon 
us  and  in  us  we  could  not  be  Christians.  Within  twenty 
years  I  have  visited  this  place,  going  and  returning,  at 
least  thirty  times. 

Dec.  7.  From  Monday  to  Saturday,  among  other 
occupations,  I  have  been  employed  in  reading  a  thousand 
pages  of  Air.  Atmore's  Memorial  and  Mr.  Wesley's  Jour- 
nal. These  books  suit  me  best ;  I  see  there  the  rise  and 
progress  of  Methodism. 

Dec.  8.  I  preached  in  Cumberland  Street  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  at  Bethel  in  the  afternoon.  I  fear,  sometimes, 
that  my  commission  will  wear  out  among  one  description 
of  people  here.  Religion  of  a  certain  kind  must  be  very 
valuable,  since  we  spend  so  much  to  support  it.  There 
must  be  a  prodigious  revival  in  the  Independent  society, 
a  building  of  theirs  will  cost  fifty,  or,  perhaps,  one  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  There  is  a  holy  strife  between 
its  members  and  the  Episcopalians,  who  shall  have  the 


i8o6]  THE  HIGHEST  STEEPLE  571 

highest    steeple ;    l)Ut    1    IjeHeve    tliere    is    no    contention 
about  who  shall  have  the  most  souls  converted  to  God. 

At  Rembert  Hall 

Dec.  13.  We  reached  Rembert  Hall.  Some  of  my 
Northern  letters  have  come  in.  They  bring  good  news ; 
camp  meetings  at  Albany,  New  York,  at  Lebanon,  Ver- 
mont, in  the  New  Hampshire  districts,  all  successful. 

Chkkstmas  Day.  I  preached  at  Rembert's  Chapel; 
my  subject,  i  Tim.  3.  16:  "Without  controversy  great  is 
the  mystery  of  godliness,"  etc. :  i.  I  gave  a  pastoral  intro- 
duction ;  2.  A  brief  explanation  of  godliness,  the  knowl- 
edge of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  confidence  in  God,  love  to 
him,  fear  of  offending  him.  To  this  were  added  a  few 
thoughts  on  the  six  cases  in  the  text.  It  was  not  a 
pleasant  season.  Christmas  Day  is  the  worst  in  the 
whole  year  on  which  to  preach  Christ,  at  least  to  me. 
I  am  now  in  the  fortieth  year  of  my  labors  in  the  min- 
istry ;  thirty-four  years  of  this  time  have  been  spent  in 
America. 

Jan.  4,  1806.  We  closed  our  Conference  in  great 
peace  and  order,  no  murmurs  about  the  stations  from 
preachers  or  people.  Since  we  came  here  we  have  had 
twenty-six  sermons  ;  one  of  which  I  preached  upon,  i  Tim. 
4.  12:  "Let  no  man  despise  thy  youth."  Brother  What- 
coat  ordained  the  deacons.  We  see  no  immediate  fruit 
of  our  labors,  but  doubtless  we  shall  hear  of  it,  following 
our  many  prayers  night  and  day. 

Jan.  II.  I  was  busy  answering  letters.  Joseph  Craw- 
ford, that  he  might  not  be  idle,  preached  to  the  Africans 
in  the  evenings. 

Jan.  19.  I  preached  on  that  great  subject,  Col.  i.  27, 
28.  We  had  about  fifteen  hundred  hearers  in  our  house 
of  worship,  sixty-six  by  thirty-three  feet,  galleried  all 
around.  There  may  be  five  thousand  soiils  in  Wilming- 
ton, one  fourth  of  which  number,  probably,  were  present. 


572  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1806 

Joseph  Crawford  preached  in  the  afternoon  and  at 
night.  I  gave  order  for  the  completion  of  the  taberna- 
cle and  dwelling  house,  according  to  the  charge  left  me 
by  William  Meredith. 

Manifestation  of  Divine  Providence 

Jan.  23.  The  providence  of  God  was  manifested  in 
our  preservation  to-day.  Our  horses  took  fright  while 
in  the  wagon,  and  went  ofif  like  fire.  They  happily  struck, 
and  locked  a  wheel  on  a  poplar;  the  swingletree  snapped, 
no  more ;  less  damage,  if  any,  could  scarcely  have  been 
done. 

Feb.  I.  We  came  twenty  miles  to  the  widow  Wil- 
liams's, near  Taylor's  Ferry.  On  the  Sabbath  I  preached 
on  Acts  17.  30,  31  :  "Now  he  commandeth  all  men  every- 
where to  repent:"  i.  The  natin-e  of  repentance;  2.  The 
universality  of  repentance — all  orders,  stations,  charac- 
ters, must  repent ;  3.  The  possibility  of,  and  the  provision 
made  for,  repentance,  the  gift  of  Christ,  the  death  of 
Christ,  the  agency  of  the  Spirit,  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel, the  means  of  grace ;  4.  Necessity  of  repentance,  from 
the  considerations  of  the  fall  and  our  own  actual  trans- 
gressions, a  future  state  and  general  judgment;  5.  The 
time  for  repentance,  noiv,  this  gospel  day  of  grace. 

Feb.  14.  A' irginia  Conference  began  in  Norfolk.  One 
member  opposed  all  petitions  from  the  people  for  Confer- 
ence sittings ;  he  also  condemned  all  epistles  from  the 
sister  Conferences,  as  being  too  long  and  pompous,  and  as 
likely  to  make  innovations.  He  dictated  an  epistle  himself 
by  way  of  sample,  to  show  how  epistles  ought  to  be  writ- 
ten ;  the  committee  of  addresses  wrote  one,  too,  but  it  was 
rejected,  as  being  too  much  like  that  of  the  objecting 
member,  whose  epistle  was  rejected  as  being  too  much 
like  himself.  The  Conference  voted  that  none  should  be 
sent.  Strange,  that  such  an  affair  should  occupy  the  time 
of  so  many  good  men !     Religion  will  do  great  things ; 


i8o6]  OF  ANOTHER  WORLD  573 

but  it  (loos  not  make  Solomons.  W'c  had  preaching  nmrn, 
noon,  and  nit^ht ;  lari^e  cony;reg"ati()ns,  and  manv  souls 
engaged.  We  have  reason  to  hope  that  nearl\  one  hun- 
dred souls  were  under  the  operations  of  grace.  I 
ordained  two  elders,  and  Drother  Whatcoat  twelve  dea- 
cons. We  have  a  rich  supply  of  preachers  for  every 
circuit,  and  an  addition  of  two  thousand  three  hundred 
and  ninety-eight  in  numbers,  exclusive  of  the  dead, 
expelled,  withdrawn,  and  removed. 

J\Iak.  5  (Maryland).  I  was  employed  in  writing  to  the 
missionaries  in  the  ^lississippi  Territory.  Company  does 
not  amuse,  Congress  does  not  interest  me.  I  am  a  man 
of  another  world,  in  mind  and  calling ;  I  am  Christ's,  and 
for  the  service  of  his  church. 

Mar.  II.  My  mind  is  wholly  for  God.  What  hath  the 
Lord  wrought,  and  what  is  he  still  doing !  Scarcely  a 
letter  from  anyone  that  does  not  tell  us  good  news  of  the 
work  of  God.  as  our  yearly  letter-book  will  testify. 

Reply  to  Bishop  Coke 

Mar.  21.  The  stations  w^ere  read  off,  and  all  concluded 
in  great  peace.  Never  had  we  a  better 'Conference  in 
Baltimore.  An  answer  was  given  to  Dr.  Coke's  letter,  I 
fear,  in  a  manner  that  will  not  please  him.  An  order  was 
passed  that  the  answer  should  be  presented  to  all  the 
Annual  Conferences.  It  w^as  also  recommended  to  the 
Annual  Conferences  to  consider  on  the  propriety  of  hav- 
ing a  select,  delegated  Conference.  The  Eastern,  West- 
ern, and  Southern  Conferences  were  counseled  to  take 
such  measures  as  they,  in  their  wisdom,  might  see  best, 
to  produce  a  more  ecjual  representation  from  their  several 
bodies  to  the  General  Conference. 

Bishop  Coke  had  written  expressing  his  willingness  to  return 
to  .America  to  remain  permanently.  This  Conference,  and 
others  which  took  subsequent  action,  did  not  recall  him. 
Doubtless  this  was  in  accord  with  Bishop  Asbury's  desire  in 
the  matter. 


574  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1806 

Apr.  2  (Delaware).  At  Brown's  Chapel  I  spoke  on 
2  Cor.  6.  I  :  "We  then,  as  workers  together  with  him, 
beseech  you  also  that  ye  receive  not  the  grace  of  God  in 
vain:"  i.  The  gospel  dispensation;  2.  The  revival  of  reli- 
gion ;  3.  The  operations  of  grace  in  enabling  believers  to 
make  advances  in  the  divine  life ;  this  was  the  great  point 
urged,  to  wit,  that  God  giveth  grace  to  prepare  for  more, 
grace  for  grace,  convictions  for  sin  that  they  may  repent, 
repentance  that  they  may  believe,  justification  that  they 
may  be  convinced  of  indwelling  sin,  this  convincement 
will  evidence  to  believers  the  necessity  of  sanctification ; 
from  whence  follow  faithfulness  unto  death,  and  the 
crown  of  glory.  The  work  of  God  revives ;  the  chapel 
will  soon  be  neatly  finished.  The  second  generation  are 
filling  the  house,  and  joining  their  labors  to  what  myself 
and  their  fathers  did  in  the  days  of  their  fathers. 

Conference  in  Philadelphia 

Apr.  13  (Philadelphia).  I  preached  at  Saint  George's 
upon  2.  Pet.  I.  12-14;  at  the  Academy  I  spoke  on  James 
5.  7,  8.  Many  of  the  preachers  were  already  in  the  city 
for  Conference.  In  the  sitting  of  Conference  we  had  so 
nuich  irregular,  desultory  work  that  we  went  on  slowly. 
We  had  sixty-three  members  present  for  traveling, 
besides  those  to  be  received  in  locations,  and  as  super- 
numerary and  worn  out.  Dr.  Coke's  letter  was  answered 
by  a  committee  of  ten  preachers. 

Apr.  21.  Conference  rose.  Of  seventy-six  preachers 
stationed,  all  appeared  to  be  pleased  but  two  or  three ;  but 
they,  nor  anyone  else,  can  know  the  difficulties  I  had  to 
encounter  in  the  arrangement  of  the  stations.  Brother 
Whatcoat  was  very  ill  at  Dover,  perhaps  he  is  dead. 
Eight  deacons  and  six  elders  were  ordained.  I  preached 
three  times.  I  hope  many  souls  will  be  converted  in  con- 
sequence of  the  coming  together  of  this  Conference. 

May  3.    I  crossed  Long  Ferry  to  Staten  Island.    It  is 


i8o6]  GLORY,  GLORY  5  75 

like  winter  here,  but  what  cannot  the  God  of  nature  and 
of  grace  do  physically  and  spiritually?  I  viewed  the  s])ot 
where  I  first  landed  on  the  island  in  October,  T771.  I  am 
alive,  and  about  my  Master's  work  still.     (Jlory  !  glory ! 

A  Great  Camp  Meeting 

May  II.  I  preached  at  Philipse  Manor,  the  place 
selected  for  our  camp  meeting.  It  w-as  an  open  season ; 
companies  here  and  there  dispersed  kept  up  the  exercise 
of  singing  and  prayer  through  the  day,  and  far  into  the 
night;  the  Brooklyn  tent  was  all  prayer  the  greater  part 
of  the  time.  A  marquee  had  been  fixed  for  the  preachers. 
Provisions  came  in  from  both  town  and  country,  the 
brethren  from  both  delightfully  meeting  in  worship  and 
affections.  On  Monday  the  people  of  the  world  seemed 
to  make  a  surrender ;  there  was  no  longer  a  necessity 
for  guards.  There  were  between  eighty  and  one  hun- 
dred official  members  present,  about  one  thousand 
Methodists ;  and  some  presumed  about  six  thousand 
souls  were  on  the  ground  at  different  times.  The  people 
were  so  dispersed,  and  there  was  such  a  continual  com- 
ing and  going,  I  had  no  means  of  judging.  We  had 
great  order  and  great  power  from  the  beginning  to  the 
end.  I  judge  two  hundred  souls  v/ere  made  the  subjects 
of  grace  in  its  various  operations  of  conviction,  conver- 
sion, sanctification,  and  reclamation. 

Five  Thotisand  Miles  in  a  Year 

May  16  (New  York).  The  Conference  commenced 
its  sitting,  and  continued  a  week.  We  sat  seven  hours 
in  each  day,  in  great  love,  order,  and  peace.  A  paper 
was  read,  setting  forth  the  uncertain  state  of  the  super- 
intendency,  and  proposing  the  election  of  seven  elders, 
from  each  of  the  seven  Conferences,  to  meet  at  Balti- 
more July  4,  1807,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  establishing 
the   American   superintendency   on   a   surer   foundation. 


576  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1806 

This  subject  will  be  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  all 
the  Conferences.  The  answer  to  Dr.  Coke's  letter  by 
the  Conference  of  New  York  was  read,  to  be  submitted 
to  all  the  Conferences.  I  preached  three  times,  and  or- 
dained three  African  deacons.  Since  April  16,  1805,  I 
have,  according  to  my  reckoning,  traveled  five  thousand 
miles.  We  had  preaching  in  the  Park  as  well  as  regu- 
larly in  the  meetinghouses,  and  a  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer  for  the  health  of  the  city,  the  success  of  our  Con- 
ference labors,  and  the  prosperity  of  Zion.  The  preach- 
ers were,  perhaps,  never  better  satisfied  with  their 
stations. 

This  proposition  for  a  select  number  to  elect  another  bishop 
before  the  General  Conference  of  1808  was  ultimately  defeated. 

June  i.  I  preached  in  Boston.  As  usual  with  me  in 
this  place,  it  was  an  open  season;  some  souls  were  pow- 
erfully moved,  myself  for  one. 

June  2.  I  took  a  walk  to  West  Boston  to  see  the  new 
chapel,  eighty-four  by  sixty-four  feet.  The  upper  win- 
dow frames  were  put  in.  We  came  to  Lynn  at  two 
o'clock.  I  preached  at  two  o'clock,  on  Hag.  2.  8.  After 
meeting  we  rode  as  far  as  Marblehead ;  here  Joseph 
Crawford  preached.  I  find  that  David  Batchelor  has 
been  useful  in  this  town  ;  a  revival  has  taken  place. 

New  England  Conference 

June  12  (New  Hampshire).  We  opened  the  New 
England  Conference,  and  went  through  our  business 
with' haste  and  peace,  sitting  seven  hours  a  day.  The 
New  York  Conference  address  respecting  the  superin- 
tendency  was  concurred  in,  and  the  seven  elders  for  this 
Conference  elected  accordingly.  We  did  not,  to  my 
grief,  tell  our  experiences,  nor  make  observations  as  to 
what  we  had  known  of  the  work  of  God;  the  members 
were  impatient  to  be  gone,  particularly  the  married 
townsmen,  so  we  made  great  haste. 


i8o6]  A  GRAND  COLLEGE  577 

June  21.  After  dinner  we  rattled  along  to  Burlington, 
on  Lake  Champlain.  Here  I  saw  a  grand  college,  equal, 
in  exterior,  to  that  of  New  Haven,  a  statehouse,  meet- 
inghouse, and  other  elegant  buildings.  We  have  niade 
forty  miles  to-day.  I  am  resolved  to  be  in  every  part  of 
the  work,  while  I  live  to  preside.  It  will  be  the  best 
plan  to  bring  on  the  sessions  of  all  the  Conferences  as 
early  as  possible,  that  there  may  be  time  given  to  all  the 
preachers  to  go  to  work  in  the  dawn  of  spring.  The 
New  England  Conference  should  meet  about  the  middle 
of  April,  and  thus  be  ready  for  General  Conference. 
Why  did  I  not  visit  this  country  sooner?  By  moving 
the  Conferences  to  an  earlier  period  in  the  year  it  might 
have  been  done,  and  may  yet  be  done.  What  app^ared 
to  me  to  be  impossible  I  see  now  is  very  practicable. 

The  Sweetness  of  Toil  for  Christ 

What  is  the  toil  of  beating  over  rocks,  hills,  moun- 
tains, deserts,  five  thousand  miles  a  year !  Nothing. 
when  we  reflect  it  is  done  for  God.  for  Christ,  for  the 
Holy  Spirit,  the  church  of  God,  the  souls  of  poor  sinners, 
the  preachers  of  the  gospel  in  the  seven  Conferences,  one 
hundred  and  thirty  thousand  members,  and  one  or  two 
nuUions,  who  congregate  with  us  in  the  solemn  worship 
of  God.  O,  it  is  nothing!  We  have  sustained  more 
damage  than  I  can  tell,  by  the  absence  of  the  preachers, 
two  or  three  months,  at  every  Conference.  This  is  an 
evil  that  must  be  remedied.  Were  it  not  for  the  aid  we 
receive  from  the  local  and  official  members,  the  suspen- 
sions of  the  traveling  preachers  would  ruin  us.  What 
is  to  be  done?  i.  Meet  the  Conferences  early;  2.  Engage 
the  official  members  to  more  engagedness  and  labor; 
3.  Let  prayer  meetings  be  more  frequent ;  4.  Let  all  the 
probationers  stay  on  the  circuits ;  and  let  all  who  are 
recommended  stay  on  the  circuits  also,  until  they  can  be 
admitted  into  the  connection. 


578  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1806 

July  8.  I  was  on  the  road  at  five  o'clock.  The  bridge 
over  the  Delaware  is  said  to  have  cost  three  or  four  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  I  reached  Manly  Hall  about  four 
o'clock.  From  New  Haven  to  Philadelphia,  I  judge  I 
have  made  one  thousand  sixty-five  miles,  going  and 
returning,  and  about  one  thousand  eight  hundred  miles 
since  I  left  the  Philadelphia  Conference.  After  writing 
some  letters  I  preached  at  Kingston  at  five  o'clock,  on 
Acts  20.  24.  On  my  return  I  found  a  letter  from  Dr. 
Chandler,  declaring  the  death  of  Bishop  Whatcoat,  that 
father  in  Israel,  and  my  faithful  friend  for  forty  years, 
a  man  of  solid  parts,  a  self-denying  man  of  God.  Who 
ever  heard  him  speak  an  idle  word  ?  When  was  guile 
found  in  his  mouth?  He  had  been  thirty-eight  years  in 
the  ministry — sixteen  years  in  England,  Wales,  and  Ire- 
land, and  twenty-two  years  in  America ;  twelve  years  as 
presiding  elder,  four  of  this  time  he  was  stationed  in 
the  cities,  or  traveling  with  me,  and  six  years  in  the 
superintendency.  A  man  so  uniformly  good  I  have  not 
known  in  Europe  or  America.  He  had  long  been 
afflicted ;  suffering  untold  pain,  nevertheless,  he  traveled 
a  great  deal,  three  thousand  miles  the  last  year.  He  bore 
in  the  last  three  months  excessively  painful  illness,  with 
most  exemplary  patience.  He  died  in  Dover  on  the  fifth 
of  July,  and  his  mortal  remains  were  interred  vuider  the 
altar  of  the  Wesley  Dover  church.  At  his  taking  leave 
of  the  South  Carolina  Conference  I  thought  his  time  was 
short.  I  changed  my  route  to  visit  him,  but  only  reached 
within  a  hundred  and  thirty  miles.  Death  was  too  quick 
for  me. 

Aug.  6  (Mrginia).  I  came  to  Winchester.  Report 
says  that  a  copy  of  Dr.  Coke's  letter  was  taken  by  stealth ; 
the  British  are  irritated,  and  the  Americans  are  not 
pleased  ;  but  they  were  calm  in  counsel. 

Aug.  30  (Tennessee).  I  preached  at  the  widow  Rus- 
sell's ;  my  hostess  is  as  happy  and  cheerful  as  ever. 


i8o6]  AN  ANCIENT  HOME"  579 

Aug.  31.  I  preached  at  the  Manahani  meeting-house. 
I  once  thought  we  should  scarcely  ever  have  a  tabernacle 
of  our  own  in  these  parts.  We  have  now  three  in  a 
triangle  of  eight  miles'  extent. 

Through  a  Wild  Country 

Sept.  7.  We  crossed  Holston  at  the  mouth  of 
Watauga.    The  Sabbath  I  do  not  often  employ  in  travel- 


MEMORIAL   TABLET    IN    WALL   OF   ENGINEERING   BUILDING, 
VANDERBILT  UNIVERSITY. 

Commemorating  the   founding  of   Bethel   School  by  Bishop  Asbury  in 
Kentucky,  1790. 

ing;  sometimes  when  I  fall  in  with  the  circuit  preachers, 
I  lodged  at  William  Nelson's,  an  ancient  home  and  stand 
for  Methodists  and  Methodist  preaching.  I  have  gone 
over  rough  roads,  and  a  wild  country,  rocks,  ruts,  and 
sidelong  difficult  ways ;  traveled  twenty  miles  farther 
than  I  needed. 

Asbury's  Great  Generosity 

Sept.   20.     The   Western   Conference   commenced    its 
sitting.     The  Mississippi  missionary  preachers  could  not 


58o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1806 

be  spared,  they  thought,  from  tlieir  work,  and  therefore 
did  not  come.  There  are  fourteen  hunch-ed  added  within 
the  bounds  of  this  Conference.  Of  the  fifty-five  preach- 
ers stationed,  all  were  pleased.  In  unison  with  the  pre- 
ceding Conferences,  an  answer  was  given  to  Dr.  Coke's 
letter.  We  had  preaching  at  noon  and  night,  and  good 
was  done.  The  brethren  were  in  want,  and  could  not 
provide  clothes  for  themselves,  so  I  parted  with  my 
watch,  my  coat,  and  my  shirt.  By  order  of  the  Confer- 
ence, I  preached  a  funeral  discourse  on  the  death  of  our 
dear  friend  Whatcoat,  from  John  i.  47-50.  There  were 
not  far  from  two  thousand  people  present. 

Oct.  I  (North  Carolina).  Now  I  know  what  Mills 
Gap  is,  between  Buncombe  and  Rutherford.  One  of  the 
descents  is  like  the  roof  of  a  house  for  nearly  a  mile.  I 
rode,  I  walked,  I  sweat,  I  trembled,  and  my  old  knees 
failed ;  here  are  gullies  and  rocks  and  precipices.- 

Abstinence  and  Prayer 

Oct.  21.  At  Rembert  Hall  for  several  days.  Reading 
closely  the  eighth  and  ninth  volumes  of  Wesley's  Ser- 
mons. They  wake  the  powers  of  my  soul.  Abstinence 
and  prayer.  I  feel  my  mind  in  great  peace,  and  a  stayed 
trust  that  the  Lord  will  provide  for  the  South  Carolina 
Conference.  Let  the  preachers  go,  as  they  have  done, 
to  their  farms  and  their  merchandise,  yet  I  am  greatly 
confident  of  the  success  of  the  cause  of  God. 

Oct.  26.  At  Rembert's  Chapel  I  preached  on  i  John 
3.  1-3:  I.  The  manner  of  love,  not  that  of  a  master,  a 
father,  a  mother,  or  a  Christian,  but  love  of  a  peculiar 
character,  the  love  of  God,  demonstrated  in  Christ  for 
our  redemption  and  salvation ;  2.  A  view  of  the  past, 
present,  future,  and  eternal  state  of  believers :  ( i )  The 
low  estate;  (2)  Adoption,  and  regeneration,  and  sancti- 
fication ;  (3)  Glorification  of  soul  and  body;  (3)  The 
men  of  the  world  know  not  the  Father,  how  then  should 


i8o6]  BUSY  ALL  DAY  581 

they  know  the  children  of  (jod  the  Father?  "These 
things  I  command  you,  that  ye  love  one  another." 

Nov.  3  (Charleston).  Neither  unemployed,  nor 
trifling.  If  we  call  for  social  prayer  seven  times  a  day, 
there  are  none  to  complain.  The  house  is  our  own,  and 
profane  people  board  not  with  us.  ]\ly  time  is  spent  in 
reading,  writing,  and  receiving  all  who  come,  whites  and 
Africans.  I  am  sometimes  called  away  in  the  midst  of  a 
letter.  I  am  happy  that  we  have  finished  our  new  church, 
and  bought  an  acre  of  ground.  On  Tuesday  I  wrote  a 
letter  to  Dr.  Coke,  giving  a  general  statement  of  the  work. 

Nov.  16  (Augusta,  Georgia).  I  wrote  to  Daniel  Hitt 
on  things  sacred.  I  am  grieved  to  have  to  do  with  boys. 
Hugh  Porter  had  written  to  this  town  about  a  station, 
and  added  to  the  mischief  he  had  formerly  done.  I  shall 
take  care  of  these  youngsters.  xAnd  behold  here  is  a  bell 
over  the  gallery,  and  cracked,  too.  Alay  it  break !  It  is 
the  first  I  ever  saw  in  a  house  of  ours  in  America ;  I  hope 
it  will  be  the  last. 

Nov.  25.  Rained.  I  kept  close;  read,  wrote,  and 
prayed.  A  thought  struck  me  that  I  would  take  the 
names  and  numbers  of  our  congregations  in  Georgia. 
This  I  effected  with  the  assistance  of  Josias  Randall,  and 
found  them  to  be  one  hundred  and  thirty,  which  I  cal- 
culate to  consist  of  one  hundred  thousand  souls  each  ;  so 
that  we  preach  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  souls 
in  Georgia — to  some  of  these  once  in  a  year,  others  once 
in  a  quarter,  others  in  four,  some  in  two,  and  by  the 
labors  of  the  traveling  and  local  ministry,  to  some  every 
week.  The  return  of  members  for  this  state  will  be 
about  five  thousand  for  the  present  year.  It  is  quite 
probable  we  congregate  two  hundred  thousand  in  each 
state,  on  an  average ;  and  if  to  these  we  add  those  who 
hear  us  in  the  two  Canadian  Provinces,  in  the  Mississippi 
and  Indiana  Territories,  it  will  perhaps  be  found  that  we 
preach  to  four  millions  of  people.     What  a  charge ! 


582  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1806 

Dec.  7.  At  Tait's  meetinghouse  I  preached  upon  Luke 
12.  40.  It  was  a  very  cold  day,  and  the  house  was  so 
open  we  had  Httle  satisfaction.  I  visited  Charles  Tait,  a 
judge.  I  did  not  present  myself  in  the  character  of  a 
gentleman,  but  as  a  Christian,  and  a  Christian  minister. 
I  would  visit  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  no 
other  character;  true,  I  would  be  innocently  polite  and 
respectful,  no  more.  As  to  the  Presbyterian  ministers, 
and  all  ministers  of  the  gospel,  I  will  treat  them  with 
great  respect,  but  i  shall  ask  no  favors  of  them.  To 
humble  ourselves  before  those  who  think  themselves  so 
much  above  the  ]\Iethodist  preachers  by  worldly  honors, 
by  learning,  and  especially  by  salary,  will  do  them  no 
good. 

Christmas  Day.  Our  new  chapel  at  Liberty  is  thirty 
by  fifty  feet.    I  gave  them  a  sermon  in  it  on  i  Pet.  4.  3-5. 

More  Good  News 

Dec.  26.  After  meeting  I  came  on  to  Sparta.  I  re- 
ceived a  dozen  letters  from  the  North.  More  good  news 
from  Dr.  Chandler.  The  work  of  God  is  wonderful  in 
Delaware.  But  what  a  rumpus  is  raised !  We  are  sub- 
verters  of  government,  disturbers  of  society,  movers  of 
insurrections.  Grand  juries  in  Delaware  and  \  irginia 
have  presented  the  noisy  preachers,  lawyers  and  doctors 
are  in  arms,  the  lives  of  the  poor  Methodists  are  threat- 
ened. Poor,  crazy  sinners,  see  ye  not  that  the  Lord  is 
Vv'ith  us? 

Dec.  29.  We  began  our  Conference.  The  subject  of 
the  delegated  Conference  was  adopted,  with  only  two 
dissenting  voices.  These  members,  however,  cheerfully 
submitted,  and  one  of  the  dissentients  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber. All  was  peace  respecting  the  stations.  I  was  called 
upon  to  deliver  a  funeral  discourse  for  Bishop  Whatcoat. 
On  the  Sabbath  morning  we  had  a  band  meeting  in  the 
Conference,   and   I  preached  in  the  open  air  at  eleven 


1807]  A  LONG  RIDE  583 

o'clock ;  ni\-  siiljjccl,  Mark  16.  19,  20.  From  Philadel- 
phia to  Augusta  1  count  it  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  twenty  miles,  the  route  we  have  made.  We  have 
fifty  traveling  preachers  in  this  Conference  this  year,  and 
an  increase  of  one  thousand  members. 

Almost  too  Cold  to  Pray 

Jan.  I,  1807.  We  set  out  for  Columbia,  South  Caro- 
lina, dining  in  the  woods  on  our  route  ;  it  was  excessively 
cold.  Next  day  we  came  to  Camden.  Saturday  brought 
us  to  Rembert  Hall.  We  have  been  redeeming  time  by 
riding  two  hundred  and  twenty  miles  in  five  days.  It 
has  been  so  cold  I  have  not  been  able  to  pray  and  medi- 
tate as  I  wished.  I  must  now  answer  thirteen  letters  in 
two  days. 

Feb.  4.  We  have  used  great  diligence  in  our  Con- 
ference labors,  and  have  been  faithful  to  the  pulpit. 
Much  might  be  said ;  I  will  only  observe  that  we  have 
sixty-seven  preachers,  and  have  added  three  thousand 
one  hundred  and  fifty-nine  to  this  Conference  bounds. 
We  have,  since  our  sitting  here,  known  that  there  are 
twenty  whites  converted,  and  as  many  blacks.  These 
blessings  on  our  labors  pay  all  expenses,  reward  all  toils 
in  the  midst  of  sufifering  and  excessively  cold  weather. 

Feb.  12.  Came  to  Murfreesboro.  I  preached  upon 
I  John  3.  10,  II.  It  was  the  day  after  the  celebration  of 
Washington's  funeral.  Many  of  the  respectables  had 
come  to  town  on  this  occasion,  and  still  remained ;  these 
attended.     I  lodged  at  Dr.  Key's. 

Feb.  21.  A  long  ride  of  forty-two  miles  brought  us  to 
Fredericksburg.  We  got  a  little  fodder  for  our  horses, 
and  took  a  cut  of  dry  bread  on  the  cold  ground  our- 
selves. My  mind  enjoys  great  peace,  and  yet  there  are 
subjects  that  might  disturb  it,  but  I  pass  them  over;  I 
am. not  fond  of  hurting  the  feelings  of  people. 

Mar.  7  (Baltimore).     Our  Conference  rose  this  even- 


584  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1807 

ing.  There  were  a  hundred  and  one  members  upon  the 
hst,  eighteen  of  which  were  additions.  We  sat  six  hours 
a  day,  and  did  much  work  in  great  peace.  In  the  mul- 
tipHcity  of  things  that  necessarily  came  before  me,  much 
must  be  left  in  shades.  There  were  few  complaints 
about  stations.  The  increase  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Baltimore  Conference  is  two  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
seventeen  members.     Glory  to  God ! 

With  Old  Friends 

Mar.  10.  I  left  Baltimore  for  Perry  Hall.  I  spent 
one  night  with  the  elders  of  the  house  and  my  old  friends 
Jesse  Hollingsworth  and  Daniel  Hitt,  the  faithful  com- 
panion of  my  travels  for  three  thousand  miles. 

Mar.  16.  Came  to  Centerville,  and  I  preached.  After 
dining  with  Thomas  Wright,  the  brother  of  the  present 
governor  of  Maryland,  we  came  to  Easton,  and  lodged 
with  Mr.  Lockerman. 

Mar.  27.  At  Milford  Bishop  Whatcoat  preached  his 
last  sermon,  and  as  I  preached  here  upon  2  ^im.  4.  7,  8, 
it  came  as  a  matter  of  course  to  make  some  observations 
on  his  character,  labors,  piety,  and  death. 

Mar.  28.  I  preached  in  Dover,  and  the  numbers  pres- 
ent were  so  great  that  I  stood  up  outside  to  speak ;  the 
wind  was  cold,  and  I  stood  uncovered.  I  preached  the 
same  day  at  Smyrna,  at  four  o'clock.  I  hear  many  things 
of  the  weal  and  woe  of  the  work  of  God. 

Apr.  10  (Philadelphia).  Our  Conference  comme'nced 
its  session  on  Thursday,  the  second,  and  finished  to-day. 
We  progressed  and  finished  in  great  peace.  The  im- 
peachment, trial,  and  examination  of  R.  Lyon  took  up 
most  of  a  whole  day ;  the  affair  was  managed  with 
prudence  and  impartiality,  and,  after  a  patient  investi- 
gation of  the  case,  it  was  determined  not  to  give  him 
the  charge  of  a  circuit  this  year.  The  preachers  took 
their  stations  very  willingly.     Seven  deacons  and   four 


iSoy]     PREACHES  ON  WHATCOAT'S  DEATH      5S5 

elders  were  ordained.  I  nui}'  mention  that  a  short  reply 
was  given  to  Dr.  Coke's  long  letter. 

May  3  (Coeyman's  Patent,  New  York).  I  preached 
once  more  on  the  subject  of  the  death  of  our  dear  de- 
parted Brother  Whatcoat. 

May  9.  We  concluded  our  Conference  labors.  The 
preachers  took  their  stations  with  the  simple-heartedness 


REV.    JOSEni     PILMOOR. 

One    of   the    pioneer  Methodist    missionaries  in  America,  afterward  a 
minister  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  Philadelphia. 

of  little  children.  I  find  two  thousand  and  one  added 
to  the  boiuids  of  this  Conference.  I  had  more  rest  than 
I  should  have  had,  had  we  convened  in  a  city. 

ThrotJgh  Many  Dangers  Safely 

May   14.     Wc   boldly   engaged   the   Green   Mountain, 
of  which  wc  had  heard  awful  accounts.     I  match  it  with 


586  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1807 

rude  Clinch,  or  rough  Alleghany.  We  found  snow  in 
the  gap.  A  tree  was  lying  across  the  path ;  in  leading 
the  carriage  over,  it  was  upset,  but  sustained  little  dam- 
age. When  we  came  to  White's  River  we  were  obliged 
to  lead  the  horses  as  they  dragged  the  carriage  up  the 
heights,  over  rocks,  logs,  and  cavings-in  of  the  earth. 
At  the  Narrows  we  found  that  the  bank  had  given  way. 
I  proposed  to  work  the  carriage  along  over  by  hand, 
while  Daniel  Hitt  led  the  horses.  He  preferred  my  lead- 
ing them,  so  on  we  went ;  but  I  was  weak,  and  not  enough 
attentive,  perhaps,  and  the  mare  ran  me  upon  a  rock ; 
up  went  the  wheel,  hanging  balanced  over  a  precipice 
of  fifty  feet — rocks,  trees,  and  the  river  between  us.  I 
felt  lame  by  "the  mare's  treading  on  my  foot.  We  un- 
hitched the  beast  and  righted  the  carriage,  after  unload- 
ing the  baggage,  and  so  got  over  the  danger  and  diffi- 
culty. But  never  in  my  life  have  I  been  in  such  apparent 
danger.  We  gladly  stopped  at  Royal  ton  at  Brother 
Ayres's.  In  every  house,  tavern  and  private,  I  have 
prayed  and  talked  ;  this  is  part  of  my  mission. 

June  i.  Came  to  Boston.  Next  day  we  opened  our 
Conference,  ninety-two  preachers  being  on  the  list. 

June  6.  Our  Conference  rose.  There  .were  $800 
paid ;  and  we  were  nearly  $3,000  insolvent.  It  kept  us 
busy  to  preach  five  times  a  day,  ordain  fifty-nine  to 
office,  and  inquire  and  examine  into  characters,  graces, 
and  gifts,  and  appoint  the  numerous  stations.  I  preached 
on  Wednesday,  and  an  ordination  sermon  on  Thursday, 
and  on  Saturday  evening  came  away  to  the  town  of 
Lynn.  And  must  T  walk  through  the  seven  Conferences 
and  travel  six  thousand  miles  in  ten  months? 

Along  the  Mohawk  Valley 

June  15  (New  York).  I  made  twenty  miles  to  Sche- 
nectady, and  was  entertained  at  Isaac  Johnson's.  I  re- 
joiced to  hear  that  Robert  Dillon  preached  in  the  market 


i8o7]  WHEAT,  RYE,  GRASS  587 

house  at  Troy.  We  came  to  T^'Jwood's  on  Thursday, 
crossing  Schoharie  Creek.  ()  fruitful  l)anks  of  lovely 
Mohawk!  On  Friday  we  rode  ten  miles  out  of  our  way, 
and  made  a  long  journey  of  forty-five  miles.  We  came 
in  at  nine  o'clock  at  night  to  Elijah  Davis's.  We  have 
traveled  one  hundred  miles  up  the  Mohawk.  My  feet 
are  much  swelled,  and  I  am  on  crutches,  hut  I  have  heen 
supported  among  strangers.  We  need  two  Low  Dutch 
missionaries  for  Jersey  and  York  west  of  the  Hudson ! 

Through  Central  New  York 

June  21.  After  Ebenezer  White  had  preached  in  the 
meetinghouse,  I  went  into  a  beautiful  grove,  where  I 
spoke  to  about  fifteen  hundred  people,  on  Col.  i.  28,  29. 
I  ordained  three  deacons,  namely,  Stebbens,  Parker,  and 
Trueman,  and  rode  to  Westmoreland.  In  Vernon,  Mon- 
day, I  preached  on  Rom.  10.  13.  Next  day  I  rode  to 
Silas  Bliss's,  in  Cazenovia.  On  Wednesday,  on  i  John 
5.  14,  15  ;  the  Lord  is  with  the  people.  I  spoke  at  Brother 
Nichols's,  in  Manlius,  on  Thursday.  My  text  was  chosen 
from  John  21.  15-17.  I  ordained  Ebenezer  White  an 
elder.  Friday  we  came  fourteen  miles  to  Onondaga 
Courthouse.  Truly  we  saw  gapers  enough ;  my  text  was 
John  13.  17.  After  taking  a  cup  of  tea  we  rode  to 
Skaneateles  Lake,  about  sixteen  miles  in  length,  and  three 
in  breadth,  at  its  widest  part. 

July  2.  We  dined  at  Geneva,  on  Seneca  Lake.  The 
lake  is  about  forty  miles  in  length,  and  from  one  to  five 
miles  wide.  Our  entertainer,  Mr.  Hagley,  was  exceed- 
ingly kind.  We  rode  on  to  Daniel  Dorsey's,  late  of 
Liberty,  Maryland,  now  an  inhabitant  of  Lyons.  This 
is  a  great  land  for  wheat,  rye,  and  grass  ;  and  the  lakes, 
with  their  navigation  of  vessels  and  boats,  and  moving 
scenes,  make  the  prospects  beautiful. 

July  4.  We  w^ere  greatly  crowded  in  a  small  house 
in   Lyons.      IMy  subject  was  Matt.    17.   5.     After  meet- 


588  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1807 

ing  and  dinner  we  rode  on  to  the  sulphur  springs,  near 
Canandaigua,  and  lodged  at  the  widow  Ferguson's. 

Asbttry's  Characterization  of  His  Preaching 

July  5.  I  preached  to  about  one  thousand  souls 
assembled  in  White's  barn.  My  subject  was  2  Tim.  4.  2 : 
"Preach  the  Word:"  i.  The  primitive  qualification,  the 
call  and  commission  to  "preach  the  Word,"  the  gospel ; 
2.  The  right  use  of  the  gospel,  to  convince,  to  reclaim 
the  backslidden  and  disorderly ;  3.  "Exhort"  all  charac- 
ters, "with  longsuffering  and  doctrine;"  "Hear  ye  him;" 
observe  the  dignity,  eloquence,  and  power  of  the  speaker ; 
"Doctrine,"  hear  him  on  this  point ;  hear  him  all  men, 
of  all  grades  and  characters.  Now  that  my  mind  is  in 
a  great  measure  lightened  of  its  load  of  thought  and 
labor  for  the  Conferences,  I  feel  uncommon  light  and 
energy  in  preaching.  I  am  not  prolix,  neither  am  I  tame ; 
I  am  rapid,  and  nothing  freezes  from  my  lips.  I  suppose 
we  shall  preach  to  more  than  ten  thousand  souls  in  this 
district. 

July  ii.  Brought  us  to  the  camp  meeting  on  Squire 
Light's  ground.  I  preached  from  Matt.  18.  2.  Some 
sots  were  a  little  disorderly,  but  the  greater  part  of  the 
congregation  were  very  attentive.  Weak  as  I  was,  I  did 
not  spare  myself,  my  subject,  or  my  hearers.  It  may  be, 
I  spoke  to  one  thousand  people.  Since  the  last  Sabbath 
we  have  traveled  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles.  The 
heights  of  the  Susquehanna  are  stupendous,  the  bottom 
lands  very  fertile,  but  this  river  runs  through  a  country 
of  unpleasing  aspect.  I  am  now  on  my  first  journey  of 
toil  and  suffering  through  Genesee  and  Tioga. 

Serious  Disturbance  at  a  Meeting 

July  12.  In  the  afternoon  there  was  an  uproar  among 
the  people.  Some  intoxicated  young  men  seated  them- 
selves by  the  women,  and  refused  to  remove  until  com- 


i8o7]         NAZARETH  AND  BETHLEHEM  5S9 

polled.  They  fought  those  men  who  came  to  take  them 
away,  and  when  the  presidiui^  elder  interfered  they  struck 
at  him,  and  one  of  the  guards  also,  who  was  helping  by 
order,  of  the  constable.  The  Owego  gentry  fled  away 
cackling  falsehood  like  wild  geese.  One  Kemp,  chief 
bully,  arrested  A.  Owen,  on  Monday  morning,  for  the 
Sabbath-breaking,  drunkenness,  and  fighting  of  this 
Kemp  and  his  crew.  The  presiding  elder  was  charged 
with  having  struck  Kemp,  and  then  running  away.  Nor 
was  the  poor  bishop  spared.  He  too  had  been  fighting. 
It  was  well  for  him  that  he  was  not  on  the  ground  at  the 
time.     I  was  quiet  in  my  room. 

Royal  Entertainment 

July  17.  To  Sutton's,  ten  miles.  The  house  was  as 
neat  as  a  palace,  .and  we  were  entertained  like  kings, 
by  a  king  and  queen.  It  was  no  small  consolation  to  lie 
down  on  a  clean  floor  after  all  we  had  sufi^ered  from  dirt 
and  all  its  consequences.  Once  more  I  am  at  Wyoming. 
We  have  wearied  through  and  clambered  over  one  hun- 
dred miles  of  the  rough  roads  of  wild  Susquehanna.  O, 
the  precipitous  banks,  wedging  narrows,  rocks,  sideling 
hills,  obstructed  paths,  and  fords  scarcely  fordable,  roots, 
stumps,  and  gullies ! 

July  21.  I  took  a  look  at  the  Moravian  town  of 
Nazareth.  It  may  contain  forty  houses  built  in  the  Ger- 
man taste  and  style.  The  brethren's  house  is  a  large 
building  of,  possibly,  one  hundred  and  forty  feet  in 
length,  and  fifty  feet  in  width,  with  a  Dutchified  tower 
like  a  cupola  in  the  center.  The  whole  edifice  has  the 
exterior  appearance  of  a  college.  Seventeen  miles  farther 
brought  us  to  far-famed  Bethlehem,  which  I  had  long- 
wished  to  see.  The  stream  that  runs  west  of  the  town  is 
])retty  and  useful,  as  it  works  a  machine  which  raises 
the  water  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  into  two  reservoirs, 
for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants.     We  found  ourselves  at 


590  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1807 

the  grand  tavern  at  the  north  end,  the  property  of  the 
brethren ;  the  house  is  large,  but  a  plain  building ;  the 
entertainment  good  at  a  dollar  a  night  for  man  and 
horse.  On  the  second  step  of  the  high  grounds  on  the 
main  street,  which  begins  on  the  hill  above,  stand  the 
church  buildings ;  on  the  east  and  west  are  rooms  appro- 
priate to  the  institution,  and  certainly  the  west  end  has 
a  grand  appearance.  On  the  same  street  below  stands 
the  brethren's  house,  one  hundred  feet  front,  five  stories 
high,  very  plain,  and  much  German  taste  discoverable 
everywhere.  Add  to  this  the  majestic  Lehigh,  and  you 
have  the  most  striking  features  of  this  celebrated  place. 
But,  ah,  religion !  Reader,  I  am  a  Methodist.  I  asked 
the  young  man  who  managed  the  tavern  if  they  ever 
permitted  any  minister  to  preach  among  the  brethren, 
but  he  could  not  answer ;  he  was  a  servant,  and  knew 
not  how  to  answer.  Next  day  came  the  master  of  the 
ceremonies,  the  cicerone  of  the  establishment,  who  shows 
the  wonders  of  the  place ;  I  asked  him  and  was  told 
that  on  the  night  when  there  was  private  worship  in  the 
church,  the  minister  must  perform  himselbst.  Daniel 
Hitt  and  two  gentlemen  from  York,  who  had  given 
money  for  the  sights  shown  here  for  money,  went  to  the 
church  meeting.  And  what  did  they  see  and  hear?  A 
man  read  in  German  they  knew  not  what,  sung  and 
played  upon  the  four-thousand-dollar  organ ;  sermon  or 
prayer  they  heard  not.  I  doubt  much  if  there  is  any 
prayer  here,  public  or  private,  except  the  stated  prayers 
of  the  minister  on  the  Sabbath  day.  But  the  brethren 
'have  a  school  for  boys  at  Nazareth,  and  one  for  girls  at 
Bethlehem ;  and  they  have  a  store  and  a  tavern.  The 
members  of  the  society  have  worldly  wealth  and  worldly 
wisdom.  It  is  no  wisdom  that  men  of  the  world,  who 
would  not  have  their  children  spoiled  by  religion,  send 
them  to  so  decent  a  place. 
July  25.     We  came  through  Lancaster  to  Columbia 


1807]  PHENOMENAL  PROGRESS  591 

On  the  Sal)l)al]i  I  preached  in  a  lot  near  the  river.  We 
may  have  had  seven  liundred  people.  My  subject  was 
2  CcTr.  5.  14.  The  missionaries,  Boehm  and  Hunter,  were 
present.  This  week  I  am  occupied  in  writing  about  thirty 
letters.  It  is  but  too  manifest  that  the  success  of  our 
labors,  more  especially  at  camp  meetings,  has  roused  a 
spirit  of  persecution  against  us,  riots,  fines,  stripes,  per- 
haps prisons  and  death,  if  we  do  not  give  up  our  camp 
meetings.  We  shall  never  abandon  them,  but  shall  sub- 
due our  enemies  by  overcoming  evil  with  good.  What 
hath  God  wrought  in  America !  In  thirty-six  years  we 
find  144,590  in  number.  In  England,  after  seventy-seven 
years,  they  count  150,974.  They  may  have  thirty  millions 
of  souls  in  the  three  kingdoms  to  labor  among,  and  we 
not  more,  perhaps,  than  live  millions.  Our  traveling 
preachers,  536,  at  present ;  the  rest,  local  and  ofificial, 
about  1,400;  but  all  these  are  poor  men,  and  unlearned, 
without  books,  money,  or  influence. 

Hardships  of  the  American  Alps 

Aug.  12.  We  set  out  again,  and  the  rain  attended 
us  into  Bedford.  We  lodged  at  the  stage  house.  Mr. 
Graham,  my  host,  had  known  me  in  my  early  visits ; 
I  had  preached  at  his  father's;  the  son  was  kind  as 
a  king  could  be,  and  charged  us  not  a  cent  for  our  enter- 
tainment. In  a  hundred  public  houses,  possibly,  that  I 
have  thus  stopped  at  in  the  year,  I  have  received  no  such 
favors.  And  now  I  have  ridden  since  I  left  Baltimore 
in  March  two  thousand  five  hundred  miles ;  and  have 
had,  as  usual,  many  a  jolt  over  rocks,  and  rocks  again, 
on  the  American  Alps,  and  dangers  and  difificulties,  and 
a  head  bruised  by  the  iron  rods  of  my  carriage. 

At  the  Old  Fort 

Aug.  19.  We  set  out  and  came  to  the  Old  Fort, 
crossed  the  Monohgahela,  and  lodged  with  Dr.  Wheeler. 


592 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1807 


He  and  his  lady  are  Londoners,  and  O,  how  kind  they 
were !  How  the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  these  kind 
friends  did  rest  upon  me.  The  doctor's  mother  had  been 
in  band  society  with  Mr.  Wesley. 

Aug.  29.  I  have  hastily  marked  above  two  hundred 
hymns,  taken  from  the  Congregational  hymn  book,  to  add 
to  a  new  American  edition,  which,  I  hope,  will  be  as  good 
as  any  extant. 

Aug.  30  (Ohio).  At  the  stand  on  the  camp  ground 
near  Hockhocking  I  spoke  on  Heb.  4.  i :  "Let  us  there- 


N-^'''^V      ^^S^^v 


FIRST    METHODIST    CHURCH,    CHILLICOTHE,    OHIO,    1807. 

The  society  was  organized  in  1805.     In   1807  Asbury  held  a  session  of 
the  Western  Conference  here. 


fore  fear."  There  were  about  eight  hundred  hearers,  and 
it  was  time  of  feeling  and  solemnity  to  professors.  Mon- 
day was  diligently  taken  up  with  my  pen,  and  prayer 
with  my  friends.  The  hymns  for  a  new  collection  occu- 
pied my  mind  much. 

Sept.  4.  We  came  away  to  Chillicothe.  In  our  neat 
new  house  I  preached  on  the  Sabbath  morning  to  about 
five  hundred  hearers,  on  I  Pet.  4.  17,  18.  There  are  some 
pleasing  and  some  unpleasing  accounts  here ;  some  little 
trouble  in  the  society,  but  great  prospects  all  around  in 
the  countrv.     The  sitting  of  Conference  will  be  of  God 


i8o7]  BRIGHTENING  PROSPECTS  593 

for  good  to  souls  ;  we  have  been  praying  the  wliole  year 
for  this.  By  letters  from  Brothers  Mead  and  Bruce  I 
learn  that  prospects  brighten  in  old  X'irginia.  They  have 
had  blessed  meetings. 

Sept.  14.  We  opened  our  Conference  in  great  peace  and 
love,  and  continued  sitting,  day  by  day,  until  Friday 
noon.  A  delegation  of  seven  members  was  chosen  to 
the  General  Conference.  There  were  thirteen  preachers 
added,  and  we  found  an  addition  of  two  thousand  two 
hundred  members  to  the  society  in  these  bounds.  Seven 
deacons  were  elected  and  ordained,  and  ten  elders ;  two 
preachers  only  located ;  sixty-six  preachers  were  sta- 
tioned. Finding  my  work  done,  and  my  carriage  sold,  I 
ventured  once  more  to  take  horse,  with  a  determination 
to  visit  the  frontier  settlements  on  the  Great  Miami 
River.  We  came  away,  leaving  fifty  or  sixty  preachers 
at  the  camp  meeting  near  the  seat  of  Conference,  and 
got  to  Brother  Waugh's  for  the  night. 

Rumors  of  an  Indian  War 

Sept.  19.  We  have  made  sixty-five  miles  from  Chil- 
licothe.  A  great  rumor  is  abroad  of  an  expected  Indian 
war.  Many  fled  for  fear,  but  the  report  was  idle  wind. 
The  whole  matter  was  that  about  a  thousand  Indians  had 
assembled  upon  the  frontiers  for  social,  and,  it  may  be, 
religious  and  moral,  purposes.  General  Worthington 
and  Colonel  McCarthy  magnanimously  ofifered  to  take  a 
talk  and  a  belt  of  wampum  from  the  governor  to  the 
congregated  savages.  The  ambassadors  found  peace, 
and  brought  in  four  chiefs  as  hostages,  with  assurances 
that  no  ill  will  was  designed  to  the  whites.  It  is  said 
there  is  a  prophet  risen  up  among  the  Indians. 

Sept.  23.  We  found  a  lodging  with  Andrew  McGrew, 
lately  from  Baltimore  County,  Maryland.  I  preached  on 
Thursday  at  Philip  Catch's,  on  Heb.  4.  2.  On  Friday 
we   stopped  in   Cincinnati,  and   dined   with   ]^Ir.   Farris. 


594  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1807 

Solomon  and  Oliver  Langdon  had  come  on,  and  were  of 
the  company. 

Sept.  26.  Rested,  read,  and  wrote.  I  am  young  again, 
and  boast  of  being  able  to  ride  six  thousand  miles  on 
horseback  in  ten  months.  My  round  will  emferace  the 
United  States,  the  Territory,  and  Canada;  but  O,  child- 
hood, youth,  and  old  age,  ye  are  all  vanity !  My  com- 
panions and  myself  are  busy  compiling  the  new  Hymn 
Book.  Our  brethren  here  have  built  a  proper  little  stone 
house  for  worship,  forty  feet  by  thirty. 

Converses  with  Valentine  Cook 

Oct.  2  (Kentucky).  Attended  the  camp  meeting  at 
Mount  Gerizim.  On  Saturday  I  spoke  on  2  Tim.  2.  19. 
On  Sunday  my  text  was  Isa.  45.  23.  Possibly  we  had 
two  thousand  souls  to  hear  us.  There  were  fifteen  tents 
and  twenty  wagons.  We  had  a  Sabbath  love  feast  and 
sacrament,  and  doubtless  there  were  precious  souls  con- 
verted. I  conversed  with  Valentine  Cook  on  the  subject 
of  a  mission ;  he  held  back.  Ah,  how  hardly  shall  they 
Vv^ho  have  families  growing  up  enter  into  and  keep  in  the 
traveling  connection !  I  came  from  the  campground 
every  night  to  Samuel  B  rod  well's.  My  host  has  put  my 
name  upon  one  of  his  sons.  Lord,  put  thy  new  name 
upon  the  lad ! 

Oct.  18  (North  Carolina).  At  Buncombe  Courthouse 
I  spoke  from  2  Kings  7.  13-15.  The  people  were  all  at- 
tention. I  spent  a  night  under  the  roof  of  my  very  dear 
brother  in  Christ,  George  Newton,  a  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter, an  Israelite  indeed. 

Oct.  25.  For  three  days  past  I  have  been  busy  in 
seeking  appropriate  portions  of  Scripture  for  the  new 
hymns  designed  to  enlarge  our  common  Hymn  Book. 
Our  journey  hither  from  Chillicothe.  Ohio,  has  brought 
us  through  five  states.  Report  says  there  is  an  awful 
affliction  in  Charleston — the  mortal  fever !    I  preached. 


i8o8]       DOCTRINE  OF  SANCTIFICATION  595 

Nov.  I  (Georgia).  I  preached  on  i  John  2.  17.  It  is 
wonderful  to  sec  how  flush  the  streams  arc,  and  excellent 
the  crops,  considering  the  want  of  rain  for  three  months 
past.  In  the  sandy  lands  the  waters  do  not  fail  in  a 
drought  as  they  do  elsewhere.  It  has  been  reported  to 
me  that  at  the  two  camp  meetings  held,  the  one  in  Elbert 
County,  the  other  in  Franklin  County,  about  one  hundred 
souls  professed  converting  grace. 

Dec.  8.  Daniel  Hitt  and  myself  both  preached.  O, 
what  necessity  is  there  to  urge  the  doctrine  of  sanctifi- 
cation  in  this  state !  It  is  a  doctrine  almost  forgotten 
here. 

Dec.  13  (South  Carolina).  I  preached  at  Rembert's 
Chapel.  Mr.  Rembert  was  thrown  out  of  his  sulky,  but 
there  was  no  mischief  done  except  that  some  old  bruises 
were  waked  up.  My  subject  to-day  was  Matt.  24.  45 : 
The  good  servant,  in  spiritual  wisdom,  in  fidelity,  his 
diligence  to  perform  his  duties ;  the  wicked  servant, 
backslidden,  false,  and  falsely  secure  ;  his  "lord  delayeth 
his  coming,"  therefore  he  maltreats  his  fellow  servants 
who  are  better  than  himself ;  he  is  sensual,  his  portion 
is  hell. 

Jan.  I,  1808  (Charleston).  Our  Conference  began. 
We  sat  six  hours  a  day,  had  great  harmony,  and  little  or 
no  trouble  in  stationing  the  preachers.  Preaching  every 
noon  to  the  Conference  and  others.  In  my  sermon  on 
Sabbath  day,  at  the  old  church,  I  took  some  notice  of 
the  life  and  labors  of  Bennett  Kendrick  and  George 
Dougherty.  The  increase  of  members  in  this  and  the 
Western  Conference,  for  this  year,  is  three  thousand 
seven  hundred  members ;  preachers  twenty-three. 

Preacher  to  Many  Generations 

Jan.  16  (North  Carolina).  We  came  to  John  Hitt's. 
I  have  preached  to  his  father  and  mother,  who  have  now 
fallen  asleep ;  the  grandson,  Jacob,  son  of  John,  feeleth 


59(5  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1808 

as  if  he  had  a  call  to  preach.  At  Hitt's  I  gave  them  a 
sermon,  from  Hel).  4.  9.  Next  day  we  pushed  away, 
thirty  miles,  to  Charles  Clayton's.  My  spirit  is  greatly 
grieved  with  the  ungodly  children  of  this  family,  par- 
ticularly one  who  has  fallen  from  grace.  On  Tuesday  I 
preached  at  Joshua  Clayton's,  on  Heb.  3.  7,  8.  Joshua 
Clayton  has  no  children  to  grieve  me.  The  loving  old 
souls  in  this  house  are  early  Methodists  from  Maryland. 

Feb.  23.  For  some  days  we  have  rested  under  the 
roof  of  Herman  Hitt ;  he  is  now  eighty-six.  He  has 
lived  to  see  four  generations.  He  is  the  head  of  eighteen 
families.  Three  of  his  sons  are  preachers,  Martin, 
Daniel,  and  Samuel,  and  his  grandson  William  also.  I 
am  occupied  in  reading  and  writing. 

Apr.  6.  Our  Conference  for  New  York  began  in 
Amenia.  On  the  Sabbath  I  preached  in  the  town  meet- 
inghouse, and  ordained  seven  elders.  It  was  a  time  of 
solemnity,  and  we  had  nearly  fifteen  hundred  people  to 
hear.  This  Conference  is  pleasant  to  me :  I  am  near  my 
work,  I  am  not  disturbed  by  company,  and  we  make  good 
progress  with  our  business. 

Asbury  was  hurrying  through  the  Conferences,  being  anxious 
to  complete  his  round  before  the  General  Conference  in  May. 
Previous  to  this  one  he  had  held  the  Virginia,  Baltimore,  and 
Philadelphia  Conferences. 

Apr.  15.  It  was  Good  Friday,  and  had  been  ap- 
pointed a  state  fast  day ;  I  took  only  a  cup  of  cofifee,  and 
a  small  bit  of  bread. 

Apr.  17.  Easter  Sunday.  I  preached  in  the  Baptist 
meetinghouse,  the  Baptists  occupied  ours ;  theirs  was  the 
larger  building,  and  we  had  it  crowded.  Conference  sat 
until  Friday.  We  wrought  in  haste,  in  great  order,  and 
in  peace,  through  a  great  deal  of  business.  There  were 
seventeen  deacons,  traveling  and  local,  ordained ;  and 
nine  elders  ordained  in  the  Congregational  church,  before 
fifteen  hundred  or  two  thousand  witnesses.     I  know  not 


i8o8J  TRIBUTE  TO  GOUGH  597 

where  lare^e  coninreg'ations  are  so  orderly  as  in  the  East- 
ern states.  There  was  a  work  of  God  going  on  during 
the  sitting  of  the  Conference.  The  General  Conference 
hastened  our  breaking  up,  the  delegates  thereto  request- 
ing leave  to  go.  There  were  deficiences  in  money  mat- 
ters, but  no  complaints.  I  feel  my  shoulders  eased  a 
little,  now  that  I  have  met  the  seven  Conferences.  I  have 
lived  to  minute  five  hundred  and  fifty-two  preachers  in 
this  country.  The  increase  this  short  year  is  seven  thou- 
sand five  hundred,  in  round  numbers. 

Death  of  the  Master  of  Perry  Hall 

May  3.  We  arrived  at  Perry  Hall.  Truly  we  came 
to  the  house  of  mourning;  the  master  is  dying.  I  saw 
and  touched  his  dying  body.  Later  Mr.  Gough  died. 
When  the  corpse  was  moved,  to  be  taken  into  the  coun- 
try for  interment,  many  of  the  members  of  the  General 
Conference  walked  in  procession  after  it  to  the  end  of  the 
town.  Harry  Dorsey  Gough  professed  more  than  thirty 
years  ago  to  be  convicted  and  sanctified ;  that  he  did 
depart  from  God  is  well  known,  but  it  is  equally  certain 
that  he  was  visibly  restored.  As  I  was  the  means  of  his 
first  turning  to  God,  so  was  I  also  of  his  return  and 
restoration;  certain  prejudices  he  had  taken  up  against 
myself  and  others,  these  I  removed.  In  his  last  hours, 
v/hich  were  painfully  afflictive,  he  was  much  given  up  to 
God.  Mr.  Gough  had  inherited  a  large  estate  from  a  re- 
lation in  England,  and  having  the  means,  he  indulged 
his  taste  for  gardening,  and  the  expensive  embellishment 
of  his  country  seat.  Perry  Hall,  which  was  always 
hospitably  open  to  visitors,  particularly  those  who  feared 
God.  Although  a  man  of  plain  understanding,  Mr. 
Gough  was  a  man  much  respected  and  beloved.  As  a 
husband,  a  father,  and  a  master,  he  was  well  worthy  of 
imitation.  His  charities  were  as  numerous  as  proper 
objects  to  a  Christian  were  likely  to  make  them;  and  the 


598  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1808 

souls  and  bodies  of  the  poor  were  administered  to  in  the 
manner  of  a  Christian  who  remembered  the  precepts  and 
followed  the  example  of  his  divine  Master. 

The  General  Conference  of   1808 

May  6.  Our  General  Conference  opened  in  peace. 
One  hundred  and  twenty-nine  members  took  their  seats. 
The  new  church  in  Eutaw  Street  was  opened  on  the  Sab- 
bath day,  and  I  gave  a  discourse  on  the  occasion  from 
2  Cor.  3.  12.  On  the  twenty-sixth  the  Conference  rose. 
We  have  done  very  little  except  making  the  rule  for  rep- 
resentation hereafter  one  member  to  the  General  Con- 
ference for  every  six  members  of  the  Annual  Conference, 
and  the  electing  dear  Brother  McKendree  assistant 
bishop.  The  burden  is  now  borne  by  two  pair  of 
shoulders  instead  of  one ;  the  care  is  cast  upon  two  hearts 
and  heads. 

Bishop  Asbury  is  in  error  as  to  the  ratio  of  representation. 
The  action  taken  provided  for  one  for  every  five,  instead  of  six, 
as  he  states.  His  reference  to  the  election  of  McKendree  as 
"assistant  bishop"  is  characteristic.  He  was  made  an  asso- 
ciate bishop  with  coordinate  powers,  but  Asbury  had  been  for 
twenty-four  years  so  completely  the  head  of^the  organization 
in  America  that  he  could  not  easily  think  of  another  as  equal 
in  authority. 

May  28.  At  the  request  of  some  preachers  in  Eng- 
land, and  the  desire  of  the  General  Conference,  I  sat  to 
Mr.  Bruff,  who  took  my  likeness  in  crayons. 

June  5.  Harry  Dorsey  Cough's  funeral  sermon  was 
preached ;  there  might  be  two  thousand  people  to  hear. 
George  Roberts  spoke  first  on,  "He  that  hath  this  hope  in 
him  purifieth  himself."  My  subject  was  Acts  14.  22.  I 
spoke  long,  and  was  obliged  to  speak  loud  that  all  might 
hear.  My  subject  was  very  much  a  portraiture  of  Mr. 
Cough's  religious  experience  and  character. 

June  6.  Bless  the  day !  I  escape  from  a  month's  loca- 
tion to  the  pleasant  fields.     Never  were  my  friends  more 


i8o8]  THREE  GENERATIONS  599 

attentive,  kind,  and  affectionate.  I  preached  at  Cole's 
meetinghouse ;  feeble  as  I  was,  the  people  waited  and 
heard  with  patience.  I  went,  next  day,  to  see  the  wife  of 
William    Durbin    in    her   affliction    of    body    and    mind. 


WILLIAM    MCKENDREE. 

Thirty-six  years  ago  I  visited  this  house ;  I  have  seen 
three  generations.  We  dined  with  Ann  Willis  and  her 
aged  mother.  Honour  Willis.  I  prayed  with  them,  and 
embraced  the  six  children,  and  blessed  them  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord.    I  am  kept  at  work  by  my  friends ;  but  they 


6oo  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1808 

do  what  they  can,  Methodists  and  others,  to  pay  me  in 
afifection,  in  attentions,  in  honor. 

July  i.  Started  at  four  o'clock,  after  breakfasting. 
At  five  in  the  evening  we  landed  at  Jacob  Murphy's ;  our 
twenty-two  hours'  ride  has  brought  us  seventy  miles.  I 
have  suffered  much ;  I  am  pained  and  sore,  and  poor 
Jane  stumbled  so  often!  But  my  limbs  and  my  soul  are 
safe.     Glory!  glory! 

July  3  (Pennsylvania).  I  preached  at  Uniontown, 
on  James  5.  19,  20.  We  started  away  for  the  widow 
Henthorn's,  where  we  spent  a  solitary  Fourth  of  July  in 
leading  and  drafting  Conference  plans  as  far  as  Balti- 
more. My  mind  is  wholly  xlevoted  to  God.  On  Tues- 
day I  read  Thomas  a  Kempis,  and  copied  off  a  list  of 
jjreachcrs  for  the  Western  and  Southwestern  Confer- - 
ences.  Brother  Boehm  preached  to  the  people  in  English 
and  German  ;  he  also  preached  at  Middletown  on  Thurs- 
day. I  spoke  for  about  half  an  hour  at  the  widow  Ste- 
phens's on  Friday ;  my  subject  was  i  Cor.  6.  19,  20.  On 
Saturday  I  read  a  part  of  the  seventh  volume  of  Wesley's 
Sermons.  Confinement  is  excessively  irksome,  but  the 
rain  for  four  days  past  is  tremendous,  and  I  feel  my  old 
rheumatic  affections. 

Asbury  Sick,  but  Undaunted 

July  10.  At  Connellsville  T  preached  in  our  new 
house,  sixty  by  forty  feet.  Brother  Boehm  spoke  in 
German.  The  inflammation  of  my  throat  I  laid  aside  as 
well  as  I  could,  and  spoke  on.  Page  Doughady  and 
Boehm  each  added  a  few  words ;  and  so  we  dedicated 
the  walls  of  the  house  of  God ;  the  roof  was  not  yet  on. 

During  the  General  Conference  Bishop  Asbury  asked  Henry 
Boehm  to  be  his  traveHng  companion,  and  after  going  home  to 
bid  his  parents  farewell,  Boehm  began  the  first  of  several 
annual  tours  with  the  bishop.  He  traveled  with  him  much 
longer  than  any  of  his  other  traveling  companions.  His  Rem- 
iniscences throw  much  light  on  the  Journal. 


i8o8]  NIGHT  OF  PAIN  60. 

July  17.  With  the  aid  ui  two  crutches  I  hohbled  into 
meeting  at  Urownsville,  and  preached  on  John  3.  17.  I 
am  sorely  lame.  1  am  fairly  arrested  in  my  course;  my 
knees  and  feet  are  so  disabled  that  I  am  lifted  to  bed. 
1  can  neither  ride,  stand,  nor  walk. 

"  It  was  pitiful  to  see  the  old  bishop  hobliling  on  his  crutches 
into  church  at  Brownsville  on  Sabbath  July  17.  There,  like 
his  Master,  he  sat  down  and  preached.  His  subject  was  God's 
design  in  sending  his  Son  into  the  world." — Boehm. 

Friends  from  Afar 

July  24.  I  feel  revived  this  morning;  but-O,  what  an 
awful  night  of  pain  !  The  people  gathered  in  the  house, 
and  I  taught  them  from  Acts  26.  18.  I  have  a  clean 
house,  an  excellent  nurse  as  any  in  the  country,  and 
kindly  attentive  people.  How  am  I  honored !  Thornton 
Fleming  paid  me  a  visit,  and  with  him  came  Mrs.  Hebert, 
and  a  daughter  of  Edward  Bailey,  of  Amherst,  Virginia. 
These  dear  souls  came  sixty  miles  to  see  me.  I  suppose 
I  must  get  a  four-wheeled  carriage.  I  cannot  now  well 
ride  a  horse.    The  exertion  is  too  great. 

At  Colonel  Zane's 

Aug.  I.  At  Colonel  Zane's,  where  I  lodged,  the  aged 
people  were  kind  indeed. 

"We  were  kindly  entertained  by  Colonel  Ebenezer  Zane, 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  West.  I  was  highly  delighted, 
as  well  as  the  bishop,  to  hear  Mr.  Zane  and  his  wife  (who  was 
a  sister  to  Samuel  and  John  McColloch)  relate  the  thrilling 
scenes  through  which  they  had  passed,  and  their  hair-breadth 
escapes  from  wild  beasts  and  from  the  murderous  savages. 
She  told  us  about  the  siege  of  the  fort,  and  how  she  was  en- 
gaged in  running  bullets  which  the  men  fired  at  the  Indians 
who  were  thirsting  for  their  blood.  Mr.  Zane  was  a  great 
hunter,  a  man  of  noble  deeds  and  noble  daring,  and  his  history, 
if  fully  written,  would  lie  equal  to  that  of  Danie^  Boone,  of 
Kentucky." — Boehm. 

Aug.  7  (Ohio).  Yesterday  we  visited  the  campground, 
and   returned  to  Daniel   vStevens's.     Wyre  and  La\ton, 


6o2  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1808 

two  young  preachers,  died  lately  upon  their  circuits.  I 
preached  to-day  at  Bush  Creek,  upon  i  Tim.  3.  14-17.  I 
ordained  James  Watts  an  elder.  It  was  a  solemn  time. 
Some  wagoners  attempted  to  sell  whisky  on  the  camp- 
ground. We  stopped  our  preaching ;  the  people  soon 
knew  how  deeply  we  felt  the  insult,  and  they  were 
driven  away. 

Aug.  10.  Came  into  Chillicothe.  On  Thursday  I 
preached  in  the  chapel.  It  was  cjuite  comfortable  to 
know  that  people  dropped  the  scythe  and  laid  by  the 
plane  to  come  to  the  house  of  God.  Chillicothe  has  been 
cursed  with  apostate  Methodist  preachers,  but  if  I  am 
not  deceived  God  will  yet  do  great  things  here.  I  was 
invited  to  pass  a  night  under  the  hospitable  roof  of  Gen- 
eral Thomas  Worthington  at  Mount  Prospect  Hall. 
Within  sight  of  this  beautiful  mansion  lies  the  precious 
dust  of  Mary  Tiffin.  It  was  as  much  as  I  could  do  to 
forbear  weeping  as  I  mused  over  her  speaking  grave, 
how  mutely  eloc[uent !  Ah !  the  world  knows  little  of  my 
sorrow,  little  knows  how  dear  to  me  are  my  many  friends, 
and  how  deeply  I  feel  their  loss ;  but  they  all  die  in  the 
Lord,  and  this  shall  comfort  me.  I  delivered  my  soul 
here.  ]\Iay  this  dear  family  feel  an  answer  to  Mary 
Tiffin's  prayers !    She  was  a  good  woman. 

Camp  Meeting  at  Deer  Creek 

Aug.  12.  We  went  to  the  campground  at  Deer  Creek. 
The  work  of  God  went  on  night  and  day.  There  were 
twenty-three  traveling  and  local  preachers  on  the  ground, 
perhaps  tents  and  wagons  one  hundred  and  twenty-five, 
and  about  two  thousand  people.  Forty  souls  professed 
converting  grace. 

Deer  Creek  was  the  first  circuit  traveled  by  Henry  B.  Bascom. 

I  rejoice  to  think  there  will  be  perhaps  four  or  five 
hundred  camp  meetings  this  year;  may  this  year  outdo 


i8o8]  RESPECTING  SLAVERY  603 

all    former   years    in    the    conversion    of    precious    souls 
to  God ! 

Sept.  i.  I  preached  at  the  chapel.  Little  Miami.  We 
had  a  full  house  at  a  short  notice.  I  was  grieved  to  see 
an  unfeeling-  man  take  away  a  poor  widow's  horse  for 
debt,  but  Brother  Gatchell  soon  relieved  me ;  he  paid  the 
debt,  and  restored  the  horse  to  the  distressed  woman  to 
be  hers  for  life. 

McKendree's  First  Conference  as  Bishop 

Oct.  I  (Tennessee).  I  began  Conference.  I  preached 
twice  on  the  Sabbath,  and  again  on  Tuesday.  Our  Con- 
ference was  at  a  camp  meeting,  where  the  preachers  ate 
and  slept  in  tents.  We  sat  six  hours  a  day,  stationed 
eighty-three  preachers,  and  all  was  peace.  On  Friday 
the  sacrament  was  administered,  and  we  hope  there  were 
souls  converted  and  strengthened  and  sanctified.  We 
made  a  regulation  respecting  slavery,  namely,  that  no 
member  of  society,  or  preacher,  should  sell  or  buy  a 
slave  unjustly,  inhumanly,  or  covetously;  the  case,  on 
complaint,  to  be  examined  for  a  member  by  the  quarterly 
meeting,  and  for  a  preacher  an  appeal  to  an  Annual 
('onference ;  where  the  guilt  was  proved,  the  offender  to 
be  expelled.  The  families  of  the  Hills,  Sewalls,  and 
Cannons  were  greatly  and  affectionately  attentive  to  us. 
The  increase  of  the  Western  Conference  for  the  year 
will  be  two  thousand  five  hundred. 

The  Western  Conference  was  held  at  Liberty  Hill,  twelve 
miles  from  Nashville,  at  the  home  of  Rev.  Green  Hill,  a  local 
preacher  who  had  emigrated  from  North  Carolina.  Bishop 
Asbury  had  held  Conferences  at  his  house  in  North  Carolina  in 
1785  and  subsequently.  This  present  Conference  was  the  first 
attended  by  Bishop  McKendree  as  bishop. 

Oct.  22.  At  Ohavers  a  camp  meeting  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  preachers  and  people.  Bishop  McKendree 
and  Brother  Boehm  spoke,  as  well  as  Brother  Blackman 
and  myself.     Brother  Bowman  spoke  at  night,  and  some 


6o4  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1808 

souls  were  affected.  On  Monday  I  spoke  again ;  there 
was  a  flood  of  speaking  to  about  three  hundred  souls, 
some  of  whom  joined  society.  It  was  very  cold  on  the 
ground.  Our  party  came  away  to  George  Wells's.  On 
Tuesday  we  rode  twenty  miles  to  the  Warm  Springs,  and 
next  day  reached  Buncombe,  thirty-two  miles.  The  right 
way  to  improve  a  short  day  is  to  stop  only  to  feed  the 
horses,  and  let  the  riders,  meanwhile,  take  a  bite  of  what 
they  may  have  been  provident  enough  to  put  into  their 
pockets.  It  has  been  serious  October  to  me.  I  have 
labored  and  suffered,  but  I  have  lived  near  to  God. 

A  Tried  Veteran 

Oct.  29  (North  Carolina).  We  have  rested  for  three 
days  past.  We  fell  in  with  Jesse  Richardson.  He  could 
not  bear  to  see  the  field  of  Buncombe  deserted  by  militia- 
men, who  fire  a  shot  and  fl}-,  and  wheel  and  fire,  and  run 
again.  He  is  a  veteran  who  has  learned  to  "endure 
hardness  like  a  good  soldier  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
On  the  Sunday  I  preached  in  Buncombe  courthouse,  upon 
I  Thess.  I.  7-10. 

Nov.  20  (South  Carolina).  I  preached  in  the  taber- 
nacle in  Camden  in  the  morning,  and  Brother  Boehm  in 
the  afternoon,  and  Bishop  McKendree  at  night.  Letters 
from  the  presiding  elders  announce  great  times  in  camp 
meetings. 

Nov.  23.  I  went  to  the  encampment,  four  miles  from 
the  city.  Bishop  McKendree  preached.  It  was  very  un- 
pleasant weather.  I  took  cold  sitting  in  the  stand.  The 
superintendency  had  a  hut  with  a  chimney  in  it.  There 
were  forty  tents  and  cabins.  Bishop  McKendree  was 
three  days  and  nights  on  the  ground,  and  there  was  a 
powerful  work  among  white  saints  and  sinners,  and  the 
poor,  oppressed,  neglected  Africans. 

Nov.  30.  Great  news !  Baltimore  taken  fire,  Bohemia 
has  a  great  work.     Camp  meetings  have  done  this. 


i8o8J  THE  WEIGHT  OF  SOULS  605 

Dec.  4.  At  Cumberland  Church  \vc  had  a  sacramental 
day.  I  preached  at  Jjethel  in  the  afternoon.  We  have  a 
great  change  and  a  gracious  prospect  here  in  Charleston, 
and  in  the  neighborhood  among  both  descriptions  of 
people.  By  our  colored  missionaries  the  Lord  is  doing 
wonders  among  the  Africans. 

A  House  of  Prayer 

Dec.  5.  I  am  closely  employed  in  reading  and  writing 
letters  and  receiving  company.  Our  house  is  a  house  of 
prayer  ten  or  twelve  times  a  day.  I  read  Mr.  Wesley's 
Journal.  Ah !  how  little  it  makes  me  feel,  the  faithful- 
ness, the  diligence  of  this  great  man  of  God !  I  cannot 
meet  the  classes  like  him,  but  I  have  a  daily  throng  of 
white  and  black  who  apply  for  spiritual  instruction. 

Dec.  II.  I  preached  in  Cumberland  Street;  it  was  a 
serious  parting  time.  At  liethel  I  also  gave  them  a  talk 
in  the  afternoon.  This  was  a  heavy  day ;  I  felt  the  weight 
of  souls.  Some  may  think  it  no  great  matter  to  build 
two  churches,  buy  three  lots,  pay  $1,500  of  bank  debt, 
and  raise  a  growing  society.  This  has  been  done  in  this 
Sodom  in  less  than  twenty-four  years. 

Dec.  18  (Georgia).  I  preached  in  Augusta  chapel. 
My  flesh  sinks  under  labor.  We  are  riding  in  a  poor 
thirty-dollar  chaise,  in  partnership,  two  bishops  of  us, 
but  it  must  be  confessed  it  tallies  well  with  the  weight 
of  our  purses.  What  bishops !  Well,  but  we  hear  great 
news,  and  we  have  great  times,  and  each  Western, 
Southern,  and  the  Virginia  Conference  will  have  one 
thousand  souls  truly  converted  to  God.  And  is  not  this 
an  equivalent  for  a  light  purse?  And  are  we  not  well 
paid  for  starving  and  toil  ?    Yes,  glory  be  to  God  ! 

A  Notable  Conference 

Christmas  Day.  1  preached  on  John  3.  17.  We 
opened    our    Conference    on    Monday.      We    had    great 


6o6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1809 

labor,  which  we  went  through  in  great  peace.  Between 
sixty  and  seventy  men  were  present,  all  of  one  spirit. 
We  appointed  three  missionaries,  one  for  Tombigbee, 
one  to  Ashley  and  Savannah,  and  the  country  between, 
and  one  to  labor  between  Santee  and  Cooper  Rivers. 
Increase  within  the  bounds  of  this  Conference,  three 
thousand  and  eighty-eight.  Preaching  and  exhortations, 
and  singing,  and  prayer — we  had  all  these  without  in- 
termission on  the  campground,  and  we  have  reasons  to 
believe  that  many  souls  will  be  converted.  The  number 
of  traveling  and  local  preachers  present  are  about  three 
hundred.  There  are  people  here  with  their  tents  who 
have  come  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  The  prospects 
of  doing  good  are  glorious.  We  have  already  added 
two  new  circuits,  and  gained  six  preachers.  There  may 
have  been  from  two  to  three  thousand  persons  assembled. 

This  Conference  was  held  at  Milledgeville,  Georgia,  and  it  is 
said  that  this  was  the  first  and  only  Annual  Conference  in  this 
section  held  in  connection  with  a  camp  meeting.  Among 
others  received  on  trial  was  William  Capers,  destined  to  a 
brilliant  career  as  preacher,  college  professor  and  president, 
editor,  missionary  secretary,  and,  after  the  division  of  the 
denomination,  bishop. 

Jan.  3,  1809.  We  reached  Augusta  about  six  o'clock. 
A  cold  rain  and  freezing  ride  brought  us  on  Wednesday 
10  Speir's ;  next  day,  Arthur's,  near  Granby.  There  was 
an  appointment  here  for  a  local  preacher,  and  I  filled  it 
for  him.  I  ought  to  record  that  the  good  old  folks  where 
I  lodged  gave  up  their  rooms  to  me.  A  hard  ride  on 
Friday  between  the  hours  of  eight  and  five,  brought  us 
into  Camden.  I  scarcely  have  time  to  make  these  few 
brief  journalizing  remarks. 

Jan.  8  (South  Carolina).  I  preached  in  our  enlarged 
meetinghouse  in  Camden.  We  came  away  on  Monday 
through  clouds  and  a  cold  rain,  twenty-six  miles,  to 
Brother  Woodham's,  on  Lynch's  Creek.  I  ordained 
Stephen   Thompson   a   deacon.      In   crossing   Cashaway 


i8o9]  VIRGINIA  CONFERENCE  607 

Ferry  on  Tuesday  it  was  a  mercy  we  were  not  thrown 
into  the  water,  like  poor  Hilliard  Judge. 

Fellowship  with  the  Sorrowing 

Jan.  II  (North  CaroHna).  Was  cloudy  and  very  cold, 
but  we  took  horse  and  made  it  thirty-three  miles  to 
Lumberton,  and  stopped  at  the  widow  Thompson's.  I 
am  most  at  home  when  I  am  housed  with  the  widow  and 
the  orphan. 

Jan.  15.  I  preached  in  the  morning,  and  Bishop  Mc- 
Kendree  and  Brother  Boehm  after.  Since  Friday  morn- 
ing I  have  been  occupied  in  writing,  forming  plans,  and 
occasionally  reading.  I  baptized  a  daughter  for  Mr. 
Newby.  Eli  Perry  came  fifty-six  miles  for  deacon's 
orders.  I  advised  him  to  tell  his  father,  a  backslidden 
Baptist  preacher,  that  he  (Eli)  would  set  apart  once  a 
month  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  for  his  father's 
restoration. 

Feb.  I.  Opened  the  Virginia  Conference.  We  had 
eighty-four  preachers  present,  sixty  of  them  the  most 
pleasing,  promising  young  men.  Seventeen  preachers 
were  admitted.  In  all  the  Conference  there  are  but  three 
married  men.  The  high  taste  of  these  Southern  folks 
will  not  permit  their  families  to  be  degraded  by  an 
alliance  with  a  ]\Iethodist  traveling  preacher,  and  thus 
involuntary  celibacy  is  imposed  upon  us.  All  the  better; 
anxiety  about  worldly  possessions  does  not  stop  our 
course,  and  we-are  saved  from  pollution  of  negro  slavery 
and  oppression.  Bishop  jNIcKendree  preached  an  or- 
dination sermon  on  Friday.  On  the  Sabbath  I  gave  them 
a  discourse  on  "humiliation  before  God."  Bishop  Mc- 
Kendree  ordained  eight  elders,  and  I  thirteen  deacons. 
I  suppose  we  have  had  two  thousand  souls  to  hear  us  in 
the  two  churches,  and  our  friends  are  very  attentive  to 
entertain  us  in  their  houses,  abundantly  better  tlian 
we  deserve.     Our  increase  in  members,  unless  we  allow 


6o8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1809 

for  a  great  waste  by  death,  and  loss  b}'  removals,  is  not 
very  encouraging;  the  West  and  South  have  given  more 
than  three  thousand  each,  whereas  here  it  is  not  three 
hundred.  We  are  defrauded  of  great  numbers  by  the 
pains  that  are  taken  to  keep  the  blacks  from  us.  Their 
masters  are  afraid  of  the  influence  of  our  principles. 
Would  not  an  amelioration  in  the  condition  and  treat- 
ment of  slaves  have  produced  more  practical  good  to  the 
poor  Africans  than  any  attempt  at  their  emancipation^ 
The  state  of  society,  unhappily,  does  not  admit  of  this ; 
besides,  the  blacks  are  deprived  of  the  means  of  instruc- 
tion. Who  will  take  the  pains  to  lead  them  into  the  way 
of  salvation,  and  watch  over  them  that  they  may  not 
stray,  but  the  Methodists?  Well,  now  their  masters  will 
not  fet  them  come  to  hear  us.  What  is  the  personal 
liberty  of  the  African  which  he  may  abuse,  to  the  salva- 
tion of  his  soul ;  how  may  it  be  compared  ?  A  general 
contentment  appeared  in  the  preachers  with  regard  to 
stations.  We  have  added  fifty  probationers  in  the  three 
Conferences,  Western,  Southern,  and  that  of  Virginia, 
and  have  located  twenty.  Many  of  these  are  the  most 
elegant  young  men  I  have  seen,  in  features,  body,  and 
mind;  they  are  manly  yet  meek. 

Life  and  Feeling 

Feb.  20.  We  rode  twenty-four  miles  to  Brother 
Cross's ;  twenty- four  miles  of  heavy  roads.  I  preached 
at  night  to  a  respectable  congregation  on.  i  Thess.  5.  14. 
The  young  men  prayed,  and  there  was  life  and  feeling. 
On  Tuesday  we  had  an  uncommonly  large  congregation 
for  a  two  hours'  notice ;  Bishop  McKendree  preached  to 
them.  A  forty-five  miles'  ride,  without  food  for  man  or 
beast,  brought  us  in,  after  being  twice  lost  in  the  woods, 
to  Brother  McGruder's.  We  reached  Frederick  Gil- 
lam's,  beyond  the  Green  Mountain,  on  Thursday.  We 
seldom  lodge  at  a  house  without  the  company  of  preach- 


i8o9]  AN  OLD  SERMON  6oq 

ers.  We  are  pleased  to  see  them,  but  would  be  better 
pleased  to  know  they  were  on  their  circuits,  faithfully  at 
work. 

Mar.  19  (Maryland).  At  Light  Street  my  subject 
was  2  Chron.  15.  2.  In  the  evening  I  preached  again 
upon  LIos.  6.  I.  On  Monday  we  went  to  the  camp  meet- 
ing near  Perry  Hall,  and  I  preached  in  the  chapel  upon 
Phil.  2.  12-15.  As  I  rode  by  the  graves  of  the  elders  of 
the  Gough  family,  the  image  of  my  dear  departed  Harry 
Gough  was  very  present  to  me.  We  stopped  in  our  way 
at  B.  Bennett's ;  his  prodigal  son  has  enlisted,  and  gone 
as  a  sergeant  to  New  Orleans.  The  mention  of  this 
place  kindled  strong  desires  in  my  mind  to  send  another 
missionary  to  that  quarter ;  I  wrote  to  John  McClure, 
presiding  elder  of  the  Mississippi  District,  on  the  subject. 

Old  Memories  Awakened 

Mar.  2^.  At  Barratt's  Chapel  I  preached  and  baptized 
some  children.  I  had  powerful  feelings  of  sympathy  for 
the  children  and  grandchildren  of  that  holy  man  in  life 
and  death.  Philip  Barratt.  My  dear  friends,  Governor 
Bassett  and  his  lady,  came  nearly  forty  miles  to  meet  me. 

Apr.  2.  At  vSaint  George's  my  subject  was  Hag.  i.  7. 
T  was  fervent.  We  had  a  sacrament,  and  the  Lord  was 
present  of  a  truth.  On  Monday  we  opened  our  Confer- 
ence in  great  peace  and  good  order.  I  preached  on 
Wednesday,  and  it  was  recollected  that  I  had  preached 
on  the  same  subject,  in  the  same  place,  in  1771.  Friday 
we  observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  Both  elders 
and  deacons  were  ordained.  There  was  some  little  dififi- 
culty  with  respect  to  our  money  concerns,  and  some  of 
the  members  had  been  rather  warm  partisans  as  politi- 
cians. This  is  always  wrong  for  them,  let  them  take 
which  side  they  please.  There  was  general  satisfaction 
given  as  to  the  stations,  about  eighty-four  in  the  whole. 
The  Philadelphia  Conference   has  subjected   itself  to  a 


6io  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1809 

demand  for  twelve  preachers  who  have  no  stations ;  six 
are  married,  and  there  is  a  widow's  maintenance  to  be 
added,  an  expense  of  $2,000.  I  am  not  conscious  of  in- 
dulging or  feeling  wrong  tempers  in  the  mighty  work  at 
which  I  daily  labor,  but  I  never  wish  to  meet  the  Con- 
ference in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  again.  But  possibly 
my  time  is  short ! 

Apr.  j6.  I  spoke  on  Phil.  3.  8:  "Yea  doubtless,  and  I 
count  all  things  but  loss,"  etc.:  i.  The  object  of  the  apos- 
tle's knowledge,  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord ;  2.  The  nature  and 
degree  of  this  knowledge  in  the  apostle's  own  experience ; 
3.  The  excellency  of  this  knowledge,  a  saving  knowledge, 
a  life-giving  and  sanctifying  knowledge  ;  it  is  the  spiritual 
and  experimental  knowledge  of  repentance,  faith,  re- 
generation, and  sanctification,  producing  a  holy  life,  a 
triumphant  death,  a  joyful  resurrection,  and  a  crown  of 
eternal  glory.  Some  demur  was  sent  by  a  certain 
preacher  about  his  station.  These  things  give  me  more 
pain  than  all  the  labors  of  the  Conferences. 

Preaches  in  an  Episcopal  Church 

Apr.  30.  At  Long  Branch  my  subject  was  Acts  3.  26. 
It  was  given  me  to  speak  strong  words,  words  of  God, 
and  from  God.  At  three  o'clock  I  preached  in  the  Epis- 
copal church  at  Shrewsbury.  I  came  home  with  John 
Throckmorton. 

May  3  (New  York).  I  preached  at  the  tabernacle  on 
Staten  Island.  My  subject  was  i  Pet.  3.  15,  16.  Epis- 
copalians, Presbyterians,  Baptists — all  upon  the  stretch 
to  be  greatest  upon  the  island.  The  Methodists  have  a 
stationed  preacher,  and  they  have  a  camp  meeting  in 
contemplation.  I  found  my  old  friend  Morrell  solitary; 
his  wife  is  called  home.  My  attention  was  strongly 
excited  by  the  steamboat.  This  is  a  great  invention. 
Brother  McKendree  preached  at  Elizabethtown,  and  I 
after  him   at   six  o'clock   in   the  evening.     We  have  a 


1809] 


CRITICAL  CASES 


611 


beautiful  house  here,  two  stories  high,  elegantly  finished. 
forty-five  by  forty  feet,  and  well  filled.  On  Monday  [ 
eanie  to  New  York,  where  I  found  letters  hrinoino-  good 
news  from  the  South  and  the  West. 

I\Iay  10.  Our  Conference  began,  and  continued  until 
the  fifteenth;  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  preachers 
present.  We  had  an  ordination  of  elders  at  John  Street 
C"hurch  on  the  Sabbath.     We  had  a  great  deal  of  faithful 


-"^ 


JESSE  LEE  S  FIRST  PREACHING  PLACE,   NORWALK, 
CONNECTICUT. 

The  preacher  probably  stood  on  the  rising  ground  back  of  the  roadside 
drinking  fountain. 

i:)reaching.  As  I  wash  not  to  relate  the  trials  met  with,  I 
^vill  let  everything  but  what  is  printed  rest  in  shades. 
There  were  some  critical  cases,  but  nothing  appeared 
against  any  member  to  justify  expulsion.  There  were 
one  hundred  and  fifteen  preachers  stationed,  and  there 
were  few  complaints.  If  I  have  slept  five  hours  a  night 
it  is  as  much  as  I  have  done  in  the  matter  of  sleep. 

May   23    (Connecticut).      Crossing   the    Connecticut 
River,  came  into  New  London.     I  have  had  great  temp- 


6i2  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1S09 

tations  and  great  consolations.  The  weather  has  been 
extremely  warm,  and  my  clothes  are  too  heavy.  My 
horse  twice  attempted  to  run  away  with  my  chair,  so  I 
was  obliged  to  quit  it.  I  must  needs  preach  in  New 
London ;  I  gave  them  a  discourse  on  i  John  2.  6.  The 
house  was  soon  filled,  and  many  went  away  who  could 
not  get  in.  Surely  the  society,  and  preachers  too,  have 
been  blind  to  their  own  interests,  or  they  would  have 
occupied  every  foot  of  ground ;  but  we  have  never  taken 
advantage  of  circumstances  as  they  offered  in  this  place, 
and  have  lost  by  our  negligence.  We  crossed  Narra- 
gansett  Bay  on  Friday  and  came  into  Newport,  Rhode 
Island.  Grand  house,  steeple,  pews ;  by  lottery.  The  end 
is  to  sanctify  the  means.    Ah  !  what  pliability  to  evil ! 

June  i.  I  had  a  feeling  season  at  Somerset  Chapel 
while  speaking  from  t  Pet.  4.  2.  Brother  Brayton's  was 
my  home.  Levi  Walker  has  not  labored  in  vain ;  but  it 
seemed  as  if  there  had  been  three  preachers  to  do  one 
man's  work.  There  are  here  two  hundred  and  ninety-one 
members.  We  reached  Easton,  and  I  was  indeed  tired ; 
the  carriage  horse  was  too  wild  for  me  to  drive,  and  the 
saddle  horse  started  and  jolted  very  much. 

Expenditures  New  York  to  Boston 

June  3  (Massachusetts).  We  reached  Boston.  Our 
route  hither  from  New  York  has  cost  us  $8  for  turnpike 
gates,  ferries,  bridges,  etc.  We  called  at  but  one  tavern. 
The  family  who  opened  the  door  for  us  here  is  gone,  but 
the  house  is  in  the  possession  of  the  stationed  preachers 
and  their  wives.  On  Monday  we  had  a  great  show ;  the 
governor  came  to  town.  I  reached  wretched  Waltham 
dripping  wet.  I  found  the  four  generations  in  health, 
and  I  got  (O,  how  sweet!)  a  comfortable  night's  sleep, 
the  first  I  have  had  for  many  nights.  How  good  is  rest 
to  soul  and  body  after  hard  labor  for  the  good  of  the 
souls  and  bodies  of  our  fellow  men !    Awaking  on  Tues- 


1809]  MISSIONARY  TO  CANADA  613 

day  morning-,  I  recollected  that  in  the  solemn  hour  of 
midnight  it  was  strongly  impressed  upon  my  mind  that  I 
must  go  hy  Lynn ;  this  was  from  (lod.  There  have  been 
awful  times  at  Lynn  for  two  years  past ;  the  preachers  are 
a  burden,  they  do  not  i)reach  evangelically,  do  not  visit 
families,  neglect  the  classes.  I  have  my  load.  At 
Beverly  my  host  did  not  quite  understand  praying  in  the 
daytime. 

JuNi-:  12.  We  rode  on  through  Kennebunk  to  Saco. 
Lodging  in  a  tavern,  we  were  opposed,  but  persisted  in 
having  prayer  night  and  morning.  Asa  Heath  gave  us 
our  breakfast,  and  we  pushed  on  to  New  Gloucester, 
making  about  eighty-four  miles  in  the  last  two  days.  On 
Thursday  we  opened  Conference,  and  sat  closely  at  work. 

Lack  of  Information 

June  18.  I  preached  to  about  three  thousand  deeply 
attentive  people,  from  Isa.  44.  23.  We  have  eighty-two 
men  to  do  the  work,  forty  of  whom  compose  the  Con- 
ference. I  have  to  lament  my  want  of  information  re- 
specting both  the  preachers  and  the  circuits.  We  have 
ordained  twenty-one  deacons  and  seven  elders.  We  have 
located  eleven  elders,  readmitted  one,  and  added  seven- 
teen preachers  upon  trial.  There  is  a  small  increase  here, 
and  fair  prospects  for  the  future. 

June  29  (Vermont).  In  passing  through  Montpelier 
we  remarked  their  fine  statehouse,  worthy  of  the  seat  of 
government  of  \  ermont.  Our  way  lay  through  Middle- 
sex, Waterbury,  Richmond,  on  to  Williston,  where,  about 
midday,  a  storm  overtook  us.  The  next  day  I  preached 
at  Fuller's,  on  Lake  Champlain,  from  Titus  3.  7,  8.  Here 
I  ordained  Joseph  Sampson,  a  native  of  Canada,  and  sent 
him  a  missionary  to  his  countrymen. 

"Sampson  was  a  Canadian  Frenchman,  and  talked  broken 
English.  In  speaking  of  the  Lamb  of  God  he  could  not  think 
of  the  word,  so  he  said  "God's  mouton,"  the  French  word  for 


6x4  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1809 

sheep.  He  did  not  succeed  in  Canada,  and  afterward  was  a 
member  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  and  on  my  district. 
He  was  not  a  Samson  ph3^sically  or  mentally  or  theologically. 
Becoming  unsound  in  doctrine,  and  denying  the  divinity  of 
Christ,  he  was  expelled.  He  appealed  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence, and  the  decision  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference  was 
confirmed. ' ' — Boehm. 

July  4  (New  York).  We  kept  along  down  Bur- 
goyne's  Road  to  Fort  Edward.  At  four  o'clock  I  preached 
in  Dr.  Lawrence's  store,  to  about  five  hundred  attentive 
hearers.  I  feel  the  effect  of  riding  thirty  or  forty  miles 
a  day,  fasting  long,  and  expected  to  preach  every  evening. 
I  spoke  on  Rom.  8.  i.  at  McCready's  barn.  Thursday 
brought  us  to  Father  Hart's,  on  Saratoga  Lake,  to  dinner. 
After  refreshing  we  went  out  under  a  plentiful  rain,  and, 
mounting  our  beasts,  directed  ovir  course  away  to  Gen- 
eral Clark's.  Here  I  preached  in  the  barroom,  and  had 
life  and  liberty.  We  have  made  nine  hundred  miles  since 
we  left  New  York,  as  we  compute.  There  will  be  an 
increase  of  eleven  thousand  this  year.  On  Saturday  I 
visited  Ballston  Springs  buildings,  approximating  in  ele- 
gance to  those  of  Bath  in  England.  The  water  has  a 
taste  of  beer,  of  lemon  juice,  and  of  salt  of  tartar. 

Along  the  Mohawk  Once  More 

July  ii.  We  passed  Utica  at  the  head  of  the  Alohawk. 
This  is  a  flourishing  place,  and  we  shall  soon  have  a 
meetinghouse  here.  Our  route  brought  us  through  Hart- 
ford to  Westmoreland,  where,  at  four  o'clock,  I  held 
forth  from  John  6.  66,  67.  We  had  a  number  of  traveling 
and  local  preachers  present. 

July  21  (Pennsylvania).  We  were  comfortable  while 
resting  at  Dr.  Hopkins's.  Arrived  at  the  ferry  bank,  no 
boat  appeared,  so  I  came  back  and  called  a  meeting. 
Since  we  left  Baltimore  in  April  we  have  made,  we  com- 
pute, two  thousand  miles.  Such  roads,  such  rains,  and 
such  lodgings !    Why  should  I  wish  to  stay  in  this  land  ? 


1809]  PROSPF.CTS  DISCOURAGING  615 

I  have  no  possessions  or  babes  to  bind  me  to  the  soil. 
What  are  called  the  comforts  of  life  I  rarely  enjoy.  'Jlie 
wish  to  live  an  hour  such  a  life  as  this  would  be  strange 
to  so  sufitering-,  so  toilworn  a  wretch.  But  God  is  with 
me,  and  souls  are  my  reward.  I  shall  yet  rejoice.  I 
might  fill  pages  with  this  last  week's  wonders.  We  are 
eighty  miles  behind  our  Sabbath  appointment. 

Aug.  2.  At  Shippensburg.  I  have  been  simple  enough 
to  put  plasters  too  powerful  to  my  knees;  they  are  in 
blisters.  So  here  is  a  bishop  who  can  neither  stand  to 
preach  nor  kneel  to  pray.  We  must  attend  to  camp  meet- 
ings;  they  make  our  harvest  times.  The  prospects  just 
now  are  discouraging.  On  Saturday  we  rode  rapidly  to 
Bedford.  The  hand  of  God  was  manifested  to-day  in 
saving  man  and  horse  from  wreck ;  the  danger  appeared 
exceeding  great.  I  calculate  the  distance  we  have 
traveled  since  January  9  to  this  day,  from  Georgia  to 
Bedford,  Pennsylvania,  at  three  thousand  miles.  We  are 
generallv  among  the  poor.  Too  frequently  it  is  a  tavern 
or  starvation.  Many  a  time  and  oft  the  preachers  crowd 
us,  and  sometimes  we  are  wedged  among  the  people  so 
that  we  can  neither  write  nor  think. 

An  Indecorotts  Presiding  Elder 

Aug.  6.  I  spoke  to  a  very  decent  congregation  on 
Acts  4.  12:  I.  By  original  and  actual  transgressions, 
sinners  altogether  born  in  sin ;  lost,  as  to  strength,  and 
wisdom,  and  righteousness ;  2.  The  character  of  Christ, 
the  only  Saviour;  in  Deity,  in  his  humanity,  suffering, 
resurrection,  ascension,  and  mediation ;  3.  The  gospel 
method  of  salvation ;  4.  The  work  of  the  ministry.  I 
spoke  in  the  courthouse  by  necessity,  not  choice.  There 
was  but  one  indecorous  thing  observed :  a  presiding  elder 
put  his  feet  upon  the  banister  of  my  pulpit  while  I  was 
preaching;  it  was  like  thorns  in  my  flesh  until  they  were 
taken  down.    Such  behavior  annovs  me. 


6i6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1809 

Aug.  13.  I  held  forth  on  2  Cor.  6.  20.  I  spoke  but 
once,  Bishop  McKendree  four  times.  I  took  occasion  to 
be  very  plain,  giving  my  hearers  to  understand  that 
frames  and  feelings  would  not  supply  the  neglect  of 
family  and  closet  worship,  and  the  duties  we  owe  to 
each  other  in  society.  We  began  our  sacramental  feast, 
but  the  people  broke  out  into  prayer  and  singing.  We 
came  away  shortly  after.  The  profligates  would  not 
come  within  our  holy  limits,  but  they  drank  plentifully 
of  strong  drink  without.  It  appears  that  the  bishops  will 
hold  a  camp  meeting  in  every  district ;  we  are  encouraged 
so  to  do.  Great  power  was  manifested  here,  and  much 
good  was  done.  I  will  not  say  how  I  felt,  nor  how  near 
heaven.  2  Sam.  11.  11 — this  passage  came  strongly  to 
my  mind ;  I  must  take  the  field. 

Aug.  30  (Ohio).  We  found  the  roads  disagreeable  in 
the  Wills  Creek  bottoms.  While  tugging  forward,  crack 
went  the  breastband,  and  crack  went  the  shaft.  We 
were  two  hours  in  the  night,  and  at  last  reached  Spears's 
tavern.  Next  day  we  made  eighteen  miles  to  Springfield, 
where  I  preached  by  appointment.  We  had  about  four 
hundred  people.  I  wanted  my  breakfast,  I  wanted 
strength,  and  I  wanted  sleep.  Brother  Boehm  preached 
at  Zanesville,  named  after  Colonel  Zane,  who  so  kindly 
entertained  us  at  Wheeling.  He  is  an  extraordinary  man, 
and  the  history  of  his  life  strange.  I  pray  God  that  there 
may  be  twenty  camp  meetings  in  a  week,  and  wonderful 
seasons  of  the  Lord  in  every  direction. 

Letter  of  Cotinsel  to  McKendree 

Sept.  10.  I  preached  in  my  host's  barn;  my  subject 
was  2  Cor.  6.  i,  2.  Brother  Lakin  added  an  exhortation, 
and  Brother  Boehm  gave  them  a  discourse.  At  a  late 
camp  meeting  I  learn  that  seventy  joined  society.  The 
prospects  are  great.  O  what  a  charming  view  presents 
itself  from  Dr.  Tiffin's  house !    But  these  long  talks  about 


1809]  GROWTH   IN  WEST  617 

iand  and  politics  suit  me  not.  I  take  little  interest  in 
either  subject.  Our  route  throusrh  the  prairies,  the  weeds 
as  high  as  our  heads  on  horseback,  showed  us  on  Monday 
almost  every  desirable  comfort  but  pure  water.  My 
study  of  divinity  is  Wesley's  sermons;  I  read  some  of 
them  to-day.  As  I  cannot  often  meet  Ijishop  McKendree, 
and,  meeting,  we  cannot  be  alone  for  talk,  I  wrote  a  letter 
of  counsel  to  him.  I  preached  on  Saturday.  I  felt 
solemn  while  dining  at  Philip  Davis's.  This  is  an  old 
Virginia  family,  and  here  are  brethren  and  sisters  whom 
I  have  known,  some  twenty,  others  above  thirty  years. 

Plans  for  Western  Conference 

Sept.  24.  I  spoke  in  the  new  chapel  in  Milford. 
Brothers  Lakin  and  Boehm  also  spoke.  I  feel  the  im- 
portance of  the  approaching  Conference.  At  Brother 
Catch's,  on  Monday,  I  filled  up  the  da}-  in  planning, 
v.'riting,  and  reading.  Thursday  I  stood  up  at  Columbia, 
and  gave  them  a  talk  on  Matt.  7.  7-12.  Fair  Cincinnati 
brought  us  up.  The  house  here  is  enlarged  and  the  so- 
ciety has  increased.  Our  Brother  West  is  sick  and  can- 
riot  come  to  the  Conference.  Many  of  our  brethren  will 
be  absent. 

Oct.  I.  Brother  Blackman  preached  at  nine  o'clock, 
Brother  McKendree  at  twelve  o'clock,  and  Brother  Burke 
at  three  o'clock.  There  were,  it  is  judged,  three  thou- 
sand souls  on  the  ground.  I  thought  it  proper  to  render 
an  account  of  all  I  had  received,  and  all  I  had  expended 
on  the  road.    All  given  away  came  out  of  my  own  pocket. 

Oct.  9.  We  have  stationed  about  eighty  traveling 
preachers;  rejected  fourteen;  located  nine.  There  is  an 
increase  of  two  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty-six 
members  in  this  Western  Conference.  We  have  in 
Mississippi  fifteen  traveling  and  eight  local  preachers 
and  three  hundred  and  sixty  members.  If  spared  and  so 
directed,  I  shall  see  that  country  and  Canada  before  I 


6i8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1809 

die.     The  Conference  closed  its  labors,  and  the  members 
separated.     Aly  party  came  away  to  Carroll's.     Next  day 


REV.    WILLIAM    BURKE. 
First  presiding  elder  in  Ohio. 


we  stopped  with  Captain  John  Sterne,  from  Stafford,  old 
Virginia.  At  midnig-ht  I  called  up  my  fellow  travelers, 
and  set  out,  having  an  appointment  at  Mount  Gerizim 
Chapel.      We   arrived   in   time,   and   had   an   ordination. 


i8o9]  LOCAL  ELDERS  619 

after  which  I  gave  an  exhortation.  Lodged  at  Whitak- 
er's.  Came  in  haste  next  day  to  Martin's  meetinghouse, 
where  I  discoursed  on  Psa.  85.  1-9.  We  held  a  conciHa- 
tory  conference  with  several  of  the  local  preachers,  on 
the  subject  of  the  ordination  of  local  elders. 

Oct.  25.  We  suppose  we  have  made  three  hundred 
and  forty  miles  since  we  left  Cincinnati.  My  mind  and 
body  have  had  no  small  exercise  in  bringing  my  stiff- 
jointed  horse  over  the  rocks  and  rough  and  deep  roads. 
I  preached  at  Harrison  Chapel,  on  Gal.  5.  7-10.  The  text 
is  a  sermon.  We  crossed  the  French  Broad,  and  fed  our 
horses  at  the  gate  of  Mr.  Wootenpile.  He  would  accept 
no  pay  but  prayer.  Our  way  now  lay  over  dreadful  roads. 
Saturday  brought  us  to  Killian's.  Eight  times  within 
nine  years  have  I  crossed  these  Alps.  If  my  Journal  is 
transcribed  it  will  be  as  well  to  give  the  subject  as  the 
chapter  and  verse  of  the  text  I  preached  from.  Nothing 
like  a  sermon  can  I  record.  Here  now  am  I,  and  have 
been  for  twenty  nights,  crowded  by  people,  and  the  whole 
family  striving  to  get  round  me. 

Oct.  29  (North  Carolina).  At  Buncombe  I  spoke  on 
Luke  14.  10.  It  was  a  season  of  attention  and  feeling. 
We  dined  Avith  Mr.  Erwin  and  lodged  with  James  Patton. 
How  rich,  how  plain,  how  humble,  and  how  kind ! 

Comforting  Letters  from  the  North 

Dec.  17  (Charleston,  South  Carolina).  I  preached  in 
Cumberland  Chapel.  I  concluded  with  a  close  applica- 
tion. Bishop  McKendree  came  in  on  Tuesday.  I  re- 
ceived many  letters  with  pleasing  accounts  from  the 
North.  Sarah  Dickins  once,  now  Sarah  Baker,  in  Balti- 
more, has  lost  her  child,  and  God  has  converted  the 
mother.  Is  not  this  another  answer  to  prayer?  Father 
F-verett  has  gone  in  glory  to  glory. 

Joseph  Everett  was  born  in  Queen  Anne  Countv,  Maryland. 
June    17,    1732.      He   was   awakened   under  the   preaching   -jf 


620  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1810 

George  Whitefield.  His  prejudice  against  the  Methodists  was 
finally  removed  by  hearing  Bishop  Asbury  preach.  In  1780 
he  became  an  itinerant  and  traveled  until  his  death,  October 
16,  1809.  His  autobiography  is  published  in  the  second 
volume  of  the  Arminian  Magazine  (American). 

Four  hundred  people  attended  our  ministry  on  Friday. 
J  have  eighteen  letters  to  answer,  and  more  are  no  doubt 
on  their  way.  We  have  prayed  especially  and  earnestly 
for  our  Conference;  surely  God  will  hear. 

Jan.  I,  1 810.  The  first  day  of  the  year  we  crossed 
Potato  Ferry.  The  people  of  Charleston  were  faithfully 
warned,  and  it  will  be  seen  not  many  days  hence  how 
God  was  with  the  Conference.  We  were  kindly  enter- 
tained on  Wednesday  by  Moses  Smith.  What  do  the 
rich  do  for  us  but  spoil  us  ? 

Jan.  7  (North  Carolina).  I  preached  in  our  enlarged 
liouse  in  Newbern  in  the  morning,  and  Bishop  McKen- 
dree  in  the  evening.  We  came  rapidly  next  day  forty- 
five  miles  to  the  widow  Anderson's.  We  are  well  in 
temporals,  and  a  most  correct  account  has  been  furnished 
us  of  all  expenditures.  I  met  the  African  elders,  and 
gave  an  answer  to  an  important  question,  namely, 
of  the  new  fences,  and  the  alteration  and  increase  of  the 
benches  in  the  chapel.  I  recommended  the  purchase  of  a 
graveyard,  and  gave  a  special  charge  concerning  the 
poor.    O,  let  me  ever  remember  these ! 

Answers  Letters 

Jan.  25  (Virginia).  Closely  employed  in  writing  let- 
ters. I  called  the  official  members  together  to  consult 
upon  the  propriety  of  setting  apart  a  day  for  fasting, 
humiliation,  and  prayer. 

Feb.  4.  The  day  is  serene,  and  so  is  my  soul.  I 
preached  at  my  host's  and  at  Wright  Ellis's.  Here  were 
great  times  thirty  years  ago.  Aiany  are  fallen  asleep,  and 
the  children  forget  God.  I  felt  awful  in  enlarging  among 
these  people  upon  the  great  salvation.     I  called  twice  at 


i8io]  IN  HASTE  621 

Ijlackwater  Church;  shiverini(.  eating  a  morsel,  and 
praying.  We  have  passed  Hke  a  mail  through  South  and 
North  Carolina.  I  solemnly  sympathize  with  my  dear 
Brother  Boehm ;  he  has  suffered  greatly  in  his  journey ; 
an  awful  cough  and  fevers.  Lord,  what  is  life!  A  fast- 
ing, weary  ride  brought  us  to  Petersburg. 

Feb.  8.  Our  Conference. began  and  sat  for  a  week.  I 
gave  an  answer  to  an  important  question,  namely, 
whether  the  bishops  had  a  right  to  form  the  eighth  or 
Genesee  Conference.  Also  gave  an  answer  to  the  Vir- 
ginia Conference.  At  midday  we  started  for  Richmond, 
and  arrived  after  six  hours'  ride,  without  stopping. 

Mar.  II.  Bishop  McKendree  preached.  We  had  an 
ordination.  I  spoke  by  way  of  exhortation.  Saturday, 
the  seventeenth,  the  Conference  went  forward  with  order 
and  dispatch,  and  rose  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning.  I 
rode  to  Perry  Hall.     Alas,  alas,  what  memories ! 

Refuses  to  Ride  in  a  Coach 

Mar.  18.  Rode  ten  miles  to  the  new  chapel  in  Middle 
River  Neck.  I  would  not  ride  in  the  coach.  Will  my 
character  never  be  understood?  But  gossips  will  talk. 
If  we  want  plenty  of  good  eating  and  new  suits  of  clothes, 
let  us  come  to  Baltimore ;  but  we  want  souls.  A  damp 
and  misty  Monday,  but  we  set  out  for  Henry  Watters's. 

1  parted  at  Deer  Creek  (ah,  where  to  meet  again!)  wdth 
aged  Father  Boehm  and  my  ancient  friend  Watters. 

This  was  Bishop  Asbury's  last  visit  to  Deer  Creek  and  to  the 
Watters  family.  He  was  here  first  the  year  after  he  arrived 
in  America,  and  often  afterward. 

Mar.   25    (Delaware).     At   Smyrna   my   subject   was 

2  Chron.  32.  25,  26.  G.  Pickering  spoke  after  me.  We 
collected  liberally  for  Boston  Chapel.  I  felt  solemn 
while  walking  in  the  graveyard.  Here  molder  my  friends 
of  thirty  years  past.  I  wrote  letters  to  the  South.  On 
Monday  I  preached  at  Dover  Chapel,  and  next  day  at 


622  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1810 

Green  Chapel.  Most  of  my  old  friends  in  this  quarter 
have  fallen  asleep,  but  their  children  are  generally  with 
me,  and  the  three  generations  baptized.  We  hold  in  the 
Peninsula,  comprising  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  and  the  state  of  Delaware,  about  100  houses 
of  God ;  22,935  niembers ;  preachers,  traveling  and 
local,  238. 

^Apr.  II  (Virginia).  I  preached  at  Newtown;  we  were 
crowded.  This  is  a  flourishing  little  place,  and  we  have 
a  beautiful  little  chapel.  We  came  on,  and  once  more 
visited  Samuel  Smith.  I  found  him  calm  and  happy  in 
God  after  strong  temptations.  I  preached  at  Curtis's 
Chapel  to  a  crowded  and  attentive  house.  There  is  a 
great  change  for  the  better  in  the  morals  and  manners  of 
all  ranks  of  people  in  this  end  of  the  peninsula,  and  none 
jiretend  to  deny  that  the  Methodists  have  wrought  it.  I 
rode  down  to  Francis  Waters's,  in  Potato  Neck.  They 
keep  me  busy.  I  must  preacli ;  I  am  senior,  have  been 
long  absent ;  some  never  expected  to  hear  me  again ;  pos- 
sibly, I  may  never  come  again.  I  am  reminded  that  such 
and  such  I  dandled  in  my  lap.  Rich,  too,  thirty  years 
ago,  would  not  let  me  approach  them ;  now  I  must  visit 
them  and  preach  to  them ;  and  the  Africans,  dear,  affec- 
tionate souls,  bond  and  free,  I  must  preach  to  them. 

A  Gracious  Season 

Apr.  19  (Maryland).  We  opened  the  Philadelphia 
Conference  at  Easton,  and  went  with  dispatch  and  great 
harmony  through  our  usual  work.  We  had  preaching  as 
usual,  and  a  camp  meeting  in  the  neighborhood.  The 
stations  were  read  off  with  much  solemnity,  and  we 
parted  in  peace.  What  a  grand  and  gracious  time  we 
have  had  !  How  kind  and  affectionate  the  people  !  There 
have  been  some  serious  changes  of  my  making.  May  I 
please  the  Lord,  and  all  men  to  edification ! 

May  5  (Pennsylvania).  At  Chester  Church  I  preached 


iSio]  MARY  WITHEY  623 

the  funeral  of  Mary  Withcy.  She  was  awakened  to  a 
deep  in(|uir_\'  respeeting  the  salvation  of  her  soul  while  f 
officiated  in  her  house  at  family  prayers ;  this  was  in  the 
year  1772,  on  my  first  journey  to  Maryland.  She  had 
lived  twelve  years  a  wife,  forty-four  years  a  widow,  and 
for  the  last  thirty  years  kept  one  of  the  best  houses  of 
entertainment  on  the  continent.  In  her  household  man- 
agement she  had  Martha's  anxieties,  to  which  she  added 
the  spirit  and  humility  of  Mary.  Her  religious  experi- 
ences had  been  checkered  by  doubts  and  happy  confi- 
dence. She  slept  in  Jesus.  We  came  into  Philadel- 
phia late. 

May  10.  As  we  came  along  a  man  overtook  us,  halted 
George  Pickering,  to  tell  him  he  ought  to  have  preached 
against  the  iniquity  of  taking  twelve  per  cent  interest  on 
loans.    We  are  in  New  York. 

May  II.  Great  times  here,  two  new  houses  within  the 
year.  I  preached  at  old  John  Street.  This  is  the  thirty- 
ninth  year  I  have  officiated  within  the  walls.  This  house 
must  come  down,  and  something  larger  and  better  occupy 
its  place. 

May  20  (Pittsfield,  Massachusetts).  I  opened  our 
solemn  assembly  at  half-past  ten  o'clock,  on  Phil  3.  17-21. 
Bishop  McKendree  spoke  in  the  afternoon;  his  subject 
was  well  chosen  and  well  improved.  There  was  also  a 
prayer  meeting,  and  in  the  Congregational  house  George 
Pickering  preached.  We  sat  in  Conference  until  Satur- 
day. Among  the  ordinations  was  that  of  Stephen  Bam- 
ford,  recommended  from  Nova  Scotia  for  elder's  orders. 
We  have  stationed  eighty-four  preachers,  sent  two  mis- 
sionaries— one  to  Michigan  and  one  to  Detroit.  There 
was  a  considerable  deficiency  in  our  funds,  which  left  the 
unmarried  preachers  a  very  small  ])ittance. 

June  6  (New^  Hampshire).  We  opened  our  Confer- 
ence at  Winchester  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  We  had 
appointed  a  camp  meeting  within  three  miles,  where  there 


624  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1810 

was  preaching  three  limes  a  day.  The  ordinary  business 
being  gone  through,  I  read  off  the  stations  on  Monday, 
and  closed,  as  usual,  with  solemn  prayer.  There  was  a 
work  of  God  manifestly,  and  opposition  rose  powerfully. 
We  regretted  we  could  not  stay  two  days  more.  Al- 
though among  strangers,  we  were  kindly  entertained. 

June  17  (Bqston,  Massachusetts).  I  spoke  in  the  old 
chapel  in  the  morning,  with  freedom ;  in  the  evening  at 
the  new  chapel,  with  less  liberty,  but  there  was  manifest 
power  in  the  Word.  On  Monday  I  wrote  five  letters  of 
supplication  to  our  brethren  in  Baltimore,  Georgetown, 
Alexandria,  Norfolk,  and  Charleston,  for  a  congrega- 
tional collection  for  the  use  of  the  new  chapel  here. 

"The  new  chapel  was  greatly  in  debt,  and  Brother  Pickering 
had  been  South  soliciting  funds;  and  yet,  such  were  the  press- 
ing wants  of  the  church,  that  while  we  were  in  Boston  Bishop 
Asbury  wrote  five  letters  supplicating  a  collection  for  the  new 
chapel,  namely,  to  Baltimore,  Georgetown,  Alexandria,  Nor- 
folk, and  Charleston,  and  I  believe  they  all  responded." — 
Boehm. 

June  24.  I  have  preached  three  times  to-day.  I 
officiated  in  the  evening,  because  it  was  observed  that  at 
the  stated  hours  people  ought  to  attend  their  own  places 
of  worship,  and  because  I  knew  there  were  not  a  few 
who  were  ashamed  to  be  seen  going  to  a  Methodist 
meeting ;  eight  o'clock  screened  them  very  well.  I  in- 
dulged a  desire  I  felt  to  speak  to  the  soldiers  of  the  gar- 
rison at  Fort  Wolcott ;  there  are  faithful  souls  there. 
Colonel  Beall  had  received  orders,  and  was  bidding  fare- 
vv^ell,  to  go  and  take  a  command  in  Maryland.  I  knew 
not  which  felt  most,  but  I  think  the  colonel ;  the  soldiers 
loved  him  as  a  father. 

Lee's  History  of  Methodism 

June  26.  I  have  seen  Jesse  Lee's  History  for  the  first 
time ;  it  is  better  than  I  expected.  He  has  not  always 
presented  me  under  the  most  favorable  aspect ;  we  are 


i8io]  LEE'S  MISTAKES  625 

all  liable  to  mistakes,  and  I  am  unmoved  by  his.  I  cor- 
rect him  in  one  fact.  My  compelled  seclusion,  in  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  was  in 
no  wise  a  season  of  inactivity ;  on  the  contrary,  except 
about  two  months  of  retirement,  from  the  direst  neces- 
sity, it  was  the  most  active,  the  most  useful,  and  most 
afflictive  part  of  my  life.  If  I  spent  a  few  dumb  Sab- 
baths— if  I  did  not,  for  a  short  time,  steal  after  dark,  or 
through  the  gloom  of  the  woods,  as  was  my  wont,  from 
house  to  house  to  enforce  that  truth  I  (an  only  child) 
had  left  father  and  mother,  and  crossed  the  ocean  to 
proclaim — I  shall  not  be  blamed,  I  hope,  wdien  it  is  known 
that  my  patron,  good  and  respectable  Thomas  White, 
who  promised  me  security  and  secrecy,  was  himself  taken 
into  custody  by  the  light-horse  patrol.  If  such  things 
happened  to  him,  what  might  I  expect,  a  fugitive,  and 
an  Englishman?  In  these  very  years  we  added  eighteen 
hundred  members  to  society,  and  laid  a  broad  and  deep 
foundation  for  the  wonderful  success  Methodism  has 
met  with  in  that  quarter.  The  children,  and  the  chil- 
dren's children  of  those  who  witnessed  my  labors  and  my 
sufferings  in  that  day  of  peril  and  affliction,  now  rise  up 
by  hundreds  to  bless  me.  Where  are  the  witnesses  them- 
selves ?  Alas !  there  remain  not  five,  perhaps,  whom  I 
could  summon  to  attest  the  truth  of  this  statement.  They 
have  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth. 

Gives  Away  Books 

July  9  (New  York).  We  reached  New  Durham.  We 
prayed  at  Runyan's,  and  gave  away  books.  The  people 
came  to  hear  me ;  spent  with  labor  and  sorrow,  how  could 
I  preach?  I  hope  the  truth  w^as  felt.  Lodged  with 
Father  Hubbert.  We  bent  our  way  up  Catskill,  and 
crossed  the  mountains  to  Middleburg.  Some  foolish 
boys  were  at  cards ;  we  were,  however,  respectfully 
treated.    I  prayed  heartily  for  the  family,  and  gave  away 


626  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1810 

some  good  books,  and  blessed  the  household  in  the  name 
of  the  Holy  Trinity.     Shall  our  blessing  be  lost? 

The  Genesee  Conference 

July  20  (Lyons,  New  York).  Our  Conference  began 
to-day. 

July  22.  Preached  at  the  encampment.  Conference 
ended ;  great  order  and  dispatch  in  business — stationed 
sixty-three  preachers.  If  the  cry  of  want  of  order  came 
from  God,  the  appointment  of  the  Genesee  Conference 
was  one  of  the  most  judicious  acts  of  our  episcopacy. 
We  stationed  sixty-three  preachers,  and  cured  some,  till 
then,  incurable  cases. 

With  this  brief  reference  Bishop  Asburj'  disposes  of  the  first 
session  of  the  Genesee  Conference,  the  formation  of  which  sub- 
jected him  and  Bishop  ]\Ic  Ken  dree  to  much  criticism.  Several 
of  the  Annual  Conferences  took  action  in  the  matter,  and  finally 
the  General  Conference  of  1812  was  asked  to  pass  upon  it. 
This  it  did  effectually  by  the  unanimous  adoption  of  the  fol- 
lowing resolution:  "Moved  that  this  General  Conference  do 
consider  that  the  Genesee  Annual  Conference  is  a  legally  con- 
stituted and  organized  Conference." 

Aug.  3  (Pennsylvania).  To  Middletown.  We  here 
broke  bread  with  Dr.  Romer,  a  German,  who  has  trans- 
lated our  Discipline  for  his  countrymen.  My  friends 
came  in  haste  and  gladness  to  see  me ;  we  prayed  and 
parted,  for  time  was  precious.  At  Lancaster  I  was  sick. 
Fifteen  letters  met  me  here,  and  they  were  to  be  an- 
swered, and  I  had  but  a  day.  I  preached  in  Father 
Boehm's  chapel. 

Another  New  Chapel 

Aug.  8.  Reached  Carlisle ;  preached  in  the  evening. 
I  drew  a  plan  for  a  new  chapel,  seventy  by  forty-five,  of 
one  story,  the  cost  about  $2,000.  Shall  I  be  able  to 
answer  the  twenty  letters  that  have  met  me  here?  A 
letter,  which  I  saw,  written  by  one  of  our  preachers,  says 


iSio]  ASBURY  WIDELY  KNOWN  627 

he  has  t\venty-cij:^ht  ai)i)()intmcnts  to  fill  in  Iwriity-fivc 
days,  besides  meetinj^  one  thousand  seven  hundred  in 
classes ;  it  was  from  Allen  Green. 

Aug.  16.  Our  road,  in  places,  was  very  bad :  dined  at 
Indian  Creek,  and  reached  Connellsville  in  the  evening. 
I  enter  my  protest,  as  I  have  yearly  for  forty  years, 
against  this  road.  Lodged  once  more  under  the  roof  of 
my  dear  Brother  Banning,  junior,  and  christened  a  child 
for  him.  We  have  ridden  since  we  left  Ontario  five  hun- 
dred and  forty  miles  by  computation.  O,  what  a  life  is  this  ! 
j\Iy  aid  is  lame,  and  I  am  obliged  to  drive.  People  call 
me  by  my  name  as  they  pass  me  on  the  road,  and  T  hand 
them  a  religious  tract  in  German  or  English ;  or  I  call  at 
a  door  for  a  glass  of  water,  and  leave  a  little  pamphlet. 
Mow  may  I  be  useful  ?  I  am  old  and  feeble  and  sick, 
and  can  do  little.  I  am  grieved  to  find  that  little,  promis- 
ing Bedford  Circuit  is  likely  to  be  injured  by  one  I  was 
afraid  would  not  do  his  duty.  Feeble  in  mind  and  body, 
small  things  are  to  be  hoped  from  him.  And  the  poor 
Germans !  they  are  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd. 

Among  Mischievous  People 

Aug.  19.  I  preached  at  the  campground  morning  and 
evening.  The  congregation  might  have  amounted  to 
three  thousand  souls.  There  were  very  wicked  people 
there,  I  learned,  who  desperately  libeled  Brother  Mc- 
Kendree  and  the  preachers,  and  committed  other  abomin- 
able offenses.  Monday  I  was  called  on  to  preach  in  the 
morning.  I  took  occasion  to  give  a  solemn  warning  to 
certain  sons  of  Belial,  that  they  would  be  watched,  and 
their  names  published.  I  suffered  a  great  deal  from 
hard  lodging,  and  want  of  fire  in  the  damps  of  the  morn- 
ing. There  were  about  one  hundred  tents,  besides 
wagons.  To-night  a  watch-night.  W^e  started  away  on 
Tuesday.  Surely  this  camp  meeting  will  be  remembered 
in  time,  and  its  fruits  seen  in  eternity.     Fridav  brotiHit 


628  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1810 

us  to  Pittsburg.     Saturday,  O  what  a  prize !     Baxter's 
Reformed  Pastor  fell  into  my  hands  this  morning. 

Affectionately  Received  by  Old  and  Yoting 

Aug.  26.  Preached  on  the  foundation  of  the  new 
chapel  to  about  five  hundred  souls.  I  spoke  again  at  five 
o'clock  to  about  twice  as  many.  The  society  here  is 
lively,  and  increasing  in  numbers.  We  rose  at  four 
o'clock  on  Monday,  and  started  early.  I  called  on 
Esquire  Johnson ;  his  wife  is  a  daughter  to  my  special 
friend,  Barnabas  Johnson.  How  affectionately  was  I 
received  by  old  and  young!  I  have  seen  three  genera- 
tions of  this  family.  We  hasted  away  to  Washington, 
and  had  heat  and  hard  toil  for  traveling  companions. 

Sept.  2.  Rested  and  preached  in  Queensbury  Chapel, 
to  a  full  house  convened  at  a  short  notice.  I  can  read 
and  think  as  in  years  past.  My  health  is  good,  and  I 
am  in  perfect  peace  and  love !  O,  the  goodness  of  God 
to  me !  I  have  journalized  very  little  of  my  life  and 
exercises,  and  less  of  my  sufferings,  but  the  Lord 
knoweth.  We  tasted  neither  bread  nor  water,  until  we 
reached  Father  Shumen's,  twenty-three  miles.  We  held 
meetings  at  night,  and  I  gave  them  a  discourse.  Lord, 
prepare  me  by  thy  grace  for  the  patient  endurance  of 
hunger,  heat,  labor,  the  clownishness  of  ignorant  piety, 
the  impudence  of  the  impious,  unreasonable  preachers, 
and  more  unreasonable  heretics  and  heresy ! 

Sept.  12  (Ohio).  I  preached  in  a  schoolhouse  on  a 
bluff  opposite  Blennerhassett  Island.  Colonel  Putnam, 
son  of  the  renowned  general  of  that  name,  invited  me  to 
the  house  of  Mr.  Waldo,  grandson  of  the  old  chief.  I 
had  a  very  interesting  interview  with  several  revolu- 
tionary officers,  emigrants  to  this  country,  from  good  old 
Massachusetts. 

"  We  had  a  hearty  welcome  and  were  treated  hke  princes. 
In  the  evening  six  or  eight  gentlemen,  revolutionary  officers, 


i8io]  GOVERNOR  WORTHINGTON  629 

with  their  ladies,  were  invited  in,  and  we  spent  a  most  agree- 
able evening.  The  conversation  was  very  entertaining  and 
instructing,  and  the  bishop  took  a  very  active  part  in  it.  But 
he  would  often  manage  to  give  the  conversation  a  religious 
turn,  to  which  the  company  would  bow  assent.  The  bishop 
prayed  before  the  company  retired.  We  lodged  that  night  in 
a  splendid  ballroom.  'Here,'  said  the  bishop,  as  he  kneeled 
down,  'they  used  to  worship  the  devil;  let  us  worship  God.'" 
— Boehm. 

Sept.  19.  We  reached  Chillicothe,  and  put  up  with 
our  old  friend,  Dr.  Tififin. 

I  was  happy  to  find  him  no  longer  in  public  life,  but  a 
private  citizen,  respectable  and  respected,  and  the  work 
of  God  revived  in  his  soul.  I  paid  a  visit  to  my  much- 
esteemed  friend.  Governor  Worthington,  at  Mount  Pros- 
pect. He  requested  me  to  furnish  an  inscription  for  the 
tombstone  of  his  sainted  and  much-loved  sister,  Mary 
Tiffin;  I  gave  him  Luke  10.  42,  second  line  to  the  end. 

Poor  Francis  Poythress 

Oct.  15.  This  has  been  an  awful  day  to  me.  I  visited 
Francis  Poythress:    "If  thou  be  he — but  O,  how  fallen!" 

Francis  Poythress  was  one  of  the  early  leaders  of  Meth- 
odism. He  was  admitted  into  the  traveling  connection  in 
1776  with  Freeborn  Garrettson  and  others.  He  was  a  pioneer 
in  the  West.  Boehm  says:  "  Perhaps  no  record  in  his  Journal 
has  been  so  little  understood  as  this,  and  none  more  liable  to 
be  misinterpreted.  Some  have  supposed  that  he  had  fallen 
like  wretched  apostates,  who  have  made  shipwreck  of  the  faith ; 
but  it  was  not  so,  and  the  bishop  would  not  willingly  or  know- 
ingly have  done  the  unfortunate  brother  injustice.  My  Journal 
reads  thus:  'Monday  15  we  went  with  Brother  Harris  to  see 
Francis  Poythress,  one  of  our  old  preachers.  He  has  been  for 
ten  years  in  a  state  of  insanity,  and  is  still  in  a  distressed  state 
of  mind.'" 

Oct.  28.  I  spoke  at  Ferguson's  chapel  for  an  hour, 
and  the  wind  beating  on  my  head.  We  have  an  open 
door  set  wide  to  us  in  Mississippi ;  the  preachers  there 
sent  but  one  messenger  to  Conference — they  could  not 
spare  more;  they  keep  their  ground  like  soldiers  of 
Christ,   and   men  of   God   who  care   for  the   cause  and 


630  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1810 

work  of  the  Lord.  Good  news  from  the  South ;  great 
prospects  within  the  bounds  of  the  South  CaroHna 
Conference. 

Here  Bishop  McKendree,  Learner  Blackman,  Janies  Gwin, 
and  Peter  Cartwright  joined  Bishop  Asbury,  and  in  company- 
journeyed  to  the  seat  of  the  Western  Conference. 

Nov.  I.  Began  Conference  in  great  peace  and  good 
order.  We  have  minuted  ninety-five  as  stationed.  There 
is  an  increase  of  four  thousand  members  within  the 
bounds  of  this  Conference.  I  have  sold  my  sulky,  and 
purchased  a  horse,  that  I  may  more  easily  wind  my  way 
through  the  wilderness  to  Georgia.  The  advantages  of 
being  on  horseback  are,  that  I  can  better  turn  aside  to 
visit  the  poor ;  I  can  get  along  more  difficult  and  in- 
tricate roads ;  I  shall  save  money  to  give  away  to  the 
needy ;  and,  lastly,  I  can  be  more  tender  to  my  poor, 
faithful  beast. 

Nov.  II.  Bishop  McKendree  preached  in  the  morning, 
the  Presbyterians  at  twelve  o'clock,  and  I  spoke  in  the 
evening.  There  have  been  unpleasant  times  for  the  Pres- 
byterians and  Alethodists ;  but  they  are  more  united  now, 
— their  ministers  appoint  meetings  for  each  other. 

Dines  with  a  Presbyterian  Minister 

Dec.  2  (North  Carolina).  Bishop  McKendree  and 
John  Magee  rose  at  five  o'clock,  and  left  us  to  fill  an  ap- 
pointment about  twenty-five  miles  off.  Myself  and  Henry 
Boehm  went  to  Newton's  Academy,  where  I  preached. 
Brother  Boehm  spoke  after  me ;  and  Mr.  Newton,  in 
exhortation,  confirmed  what  was  said.  Had  I  known 
and  studied  my  congregation  for  a  year,  I  could  not  have 
spoken  more  appropriately  to  their  particular  cases ;  this 
T  learn  from  those  wdio  know  them  well.  We  dined  with 
Rev.  Mr.  Newton,  a  Presbyterian  minister.  He  is  almost 
a  Methodist,  and  reminds  me  of  dear  Whatcoat — the 
same  placidness  and  solemnity. 


i8io]  IN  A  SENATOR'S  HOUSE  631 

Dec.  20  (South  Carolina).     Came  to  Coliinibia.     Tay- 
.lor,  of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  lent  his  house  for 


ROBERT    RICIIFORl)    ROBERTS,    I778-1843. 

A  Maryland  preacher,  admitted  to  the  Conference  in  1804,  an  intimate 
friend   of   President   Madison,    elected   a  bishop   about   a  month  after 
Asbury's  death  in  18 16. 

the  session  of  our  Conference.  We  have  pleasing  letters 
from  New  York,  denesee.  Jersey,  Maryland,  A^irginia, 
old    North    and    South    Carolinas.      Rich    and   poor   are 


632  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [181 1 

coming  to  God.    Our  fund  here  for  special  relief  amounts 
to  more  than  we  had  expected. 

Colonel  Thomas  Taylor,  United  States  senator,  was  not  a 
Methodist,  but  was  very  friendly  to  the  Methodists.  He  and 
his  family  were  in  Washington  at  this  time,  but  he  gave  up  his 
whole  house  for  the  Conference  to  be  held  there,  and  the 
preachers  to  remain  in  it. 

Jan.  I,  181 1.  On  the  first  day  of  the  new  year  we  rode 
thirty-five  miles  to  the  widow  Davis's ;  I  failed  greatly  in 
my  ride. 

Jan.  6  (Charleston).  Preached  in  Cumberland  and 
Bethel  Chapels.  Monday  busy  in  writing  letters ;  sent 
away  fifteen.  I  preached  on  Wednesday.  Thursday 
came  away  and  made  thirty-five  miles  to  Mr.  Gale's;  I 
was  weary,  hungry,  and  sleepy.  Saturday  reached 
Georgetown.  I  am  always  in  fetters  in  this  place,  and 
were  they  to  offer  me  twenty  such  towns  as  a  bribe  I 
would  not  visit  it  again ;  but  I  must  do  my  duty  without 
a  bribe. 

Jan.  20  (Lvmiberton,  North  Carolina).  I  preached 
here,  possibly  for  the  last  time.  I  spoke  in  great  weak- 
ness of  body,  and,  having  offered  my  service  and  sacrifice, 
I  must  change  my  course,  and  go  to  Wilmington.  I  have 
but  a  few  days  to  make  the  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles 
in.  I  am  happy,  my  heart  is  pure,  and  my  eye  is  single, 
but  I  am  sick  and  weak,  and  in  heaviness  by  reason  of 
suffering  and  labor.  Sometimes  I  am  ready  to  cry  out, 
"Lord,  take  me  home  to  rest !"    Courage,  my  soul ! 

In  Grave  Peril 

Jan.  28.  Rose  at  five  o'clock,  and  moved  off  pretty 
soon.  We  cautioned  the  ferryman,  who  had  placed  his 
fiat  so  as  to  be  upset ;  he  was  obstinate,  and  would  not 
alter  her  position  ;  in  jumped  the  horses,  over  went  the 
skiff ;  our  lives  were  endangered.  The  horses  reached  to 
the  opposite  shore  by  swimming,  and  plunging  through 


i8ii]  IN  RALEIGH  633 

the  nnid  got  on  dry  land.     Our  clothes  and  some  of  our 
books  and  papers  were  wetted,  but  not  spoiled. 

Boehm  says  that  Bishop  Asbury  "fell  into  a  little  error  in 
relating  this  scene,"  and  gives  the  following  account'  "The 
bishop  was  oft  in  perils  on  the  land,  on  the  water,  on  the  moun- 
tains, and  in  the  woods.  Of  these  he  makes  Viut  little  mention 
in  his  Journal.  One  of  the  most  fearful  perils  he  had  while  I 
was  with  him  was  at  this  ferry.  We  started  to  cross  with  one 
ferryman  instead  of  two.  I  was  holding  the  bridles  of  our 
horses,  standing  between  their  heads.  Another  ferryman 
came  up  with  a  canoe.  I  warned  him  not  to  let  it  strike  our 
boat;  but  he  did  not  heed  the  caution,  and  his  canoe  struck 
our  scow,  which  so  frightened  one  horse  that  he  sprang  against 
the  other  and  both  went  overboard.  The  bishop  and  myself 
were  also  in  danger  of  being  knocked  overboard  and  drowned, 
as  the  water  was  very  deep.  The  bishop  was  seated  at  the 
end  of  the  scow  with  his  staff  in  his  hand.  One  of  the  horses 
struck  the  staff  and  broke  it,  and  a  little  more  and  it  might 
have  broke  his  leg  or  knocked  the  feeble  old  man  over- 
board. I  held  on  to  the  reins  of  one,  and  he  swam  along 
the  side  of  the  scow;  the  other  began  to  swim  toward  the  shore, 
but  seeing  which  way  the  other  horse  was  swimming  he  turned 
round  and  passed  us,  and  reached  the  opposite  shore  before  we 
did.  There  he  sunk  in  the  mud,  and  his  exertions  to  escape 
only  sunk  him  deeper,  and  his  case  became  more  hopeless. 
The  bishop  looked  very  sad  as  he  saw  his  favorite  animal 
floundering  in  the  mud.  Just  then  an  old  colored  woman,  a 
slave,  made  her  appearance,  and  she  was  full  of  sympathy. 
'O,'  said  the  bishop,  'my  horse  is  mired,  and  I  am  afraid  we 
shall  never  be  able  to  get  him  out.'  'O  yes,  massa,'  said  she, 
'you  will,  for  we  will  call  the  colored  people  down  from  their 
quarters,  and  they  will  lift  him  out  bodily.'  At  this  the  bishop 
laughed  most  heartily.  But  previous  to  sending  for  help  I  ■ 
thought  I  would  try  what  could  be  done.  So  I  got  a  rail  and 
put  it  under  the  horse's  haunches,  and  he  gave  a  spring  and 
was  soon  out,  to  the  bishop's  great  joy  as  well  as  my  own." 

Feb.  10  (Raleigh,  North  Carolina).  Conference  be- 
gins Thursday.  I  preached  in  the  statehouse  to  two 
thousand  souls,  I  presume.  We  have  had.  and  mean  to 
have,  while  Conference  is  in  session  preaching  three  times 
a  day ;  meeting  sometimes  holds  till  midnight.  I  believe 
there  was  much  good  done  in  Raleigh ;  and  we,  the 
preachers,  are  much  indebted  to  the  people  for  their 
kindness  to  us. 


634  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1811 

The  Conference  was  held  in  the  vSenate  Chamber  at  the  State 
House.  Preaching  services  were  held  in  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives. Among  those  converted  during  the  Conference 
were  William  Hill,  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  several  members 
of  his  family.  This  revival  gave  such  an  impetus  to  Raleigh 
Methodism  that  a  new  church  was  immediately  built. 

Feb.  24.  I  preached  in  Richmond  in  the  morning. 
Monday  started  in  storm  and  snow,  and  made  twenty-five 
miles,  and  wilHngly  stopped  at  Mr.  Btirroughs's.  The 
neighborhood  begins  to  bow  to  the  scepter  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.  Tuesday  we  came  on  to  Todd's.  The  stage  ar- 
rived late  in  the  evening,  and  the  passengers  would  go 
no  farther  that  night.  They  were  a  motley  mixture — ■ 
Georgia  speculators,  planters,  merchants,  and  gentle- 
manly, affable  Judge  Brooke ;  I  was  chaplain  to  the 
company. 

M.\R.  10  (Maryland).  I  preached  at  Newmarket. 
Many  knew  mc,  nevertheless  I  frequently  feel  like  a 
stranger  in  my  old  home  (Maryland).  Such  changes  has 
time  wrought !  I  went  home  with  James  Higgins. 
Thursday  we  came  to  Pipe  Creek.  I  preached  for  them, 
Nancy  Willis  is  a  widow  indeed,  with  six  children ! 
Henry  Willis — ah  !  when  shall  I  look  upon  thy  like  again  ! 
Friday  we  dined  with  friendly  ]\Ir.  Stockdale,  and  came 
on  to  our  Brother  McElfresh,  Reisterstown.  O,  the 
clover  of  Baltimore  Circuit !  Ease,  ease,  not  for  me ; 
rather  toil,  suffering,  coarse  food,  hard  lodging,  bugs, 
fleas,  and  certain  et  ceteras  besides ! 

More  Preachers  Married 

]\L\R.  17.  At  the  chapel  I  found  preachers  in  abun- 
dance, and  a  larger  congregation  than  I  had  expected ; 
as  it  was  an  appointment  for  me,  I  had  the  labor  to 
perform.  How  hardlv  shall  preachers  who  are  well  pro- 
vided for  maintain  the  spirit  of  religion !  But  here  are 
eight  young  men  lately  married :  these  will  call  for  four 
hundred  dollars  per  annum,  additional — so  we  go. 


BUSH  FOREST  CHAPEL 


635 


AIak.  31.  At  (  )1(1  lUisli  Cliapc-1  I  prcaclied,  and  the 
Word  was  heard  and  felt.  I  saw  chilch'en  who  now  see 
me  for  the  first  time,  whose  fathers  received  me  forty 
years  ago.  Once  more  to  Joseph  Dallam's.  I  baptized 
his  little  daughter  Henrietta  Rogers.  I  visited  his  son, 
Dr.  William,  and  baptized  his  son  Joseph  William  Dallam. 

Apr.  29  (l'hiladel])hia).  Our  Conference  adjourned. 
There  were  no  complaints,  nor  grounds  for  any.  There 
was  preaching,  as  usual,  to  large  congregations,  and  there 


,^^is 


BUSH    FOREST    CHAPEL,    MARYLAND. 

The  original  building,  erected  in  1768,  is  said  to  have  been  the  second 
or  third  in  America. 


were  manifestations  of  the  power  of  God,  especially  at 
Saint  George's.  I  visited  Landreth,  at  his  shrubbery ; 
this  is  a  pious  English  family.  Dr.  Logan  called  upon 
me ;  he  has  lately  returned  from  England ;  he  speaks 
favorably  of  my  nation. 

May  I.  I  preached  at  Germantown.  Drs.  Rush  and 
Physic  paid  me  a  visit.  How  consoling  it  is  to  know  that 
these  great  characters  are  men  fearing  God !  I  was  much 
gratified,  aye,  I  ever  am,  by  their  attentions,  kindness, 
and  charming  conversation ;   indeed  they  have  been  of 


636  .      ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1811 

eminent  use  to  me,  and  1  acknowledge  their  services  with 
gratitude. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Rush  (born  1741),  one  of  the  signers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  one  of  the  greatest  men  of 
the  day.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Princeton  and  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Edinburgh  Medical  Department.  He  held  many  high 
positions  in  the  army,  state,  and  nation.  He  was  the  author 
of  several  books,  the  founder  of  Dickinson  College,  founder  of 
the  Philadelphia  Bible  Society,  and  originator  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society.  He  died  April  19,  1813.  Dr.  Physic 
was  almost  equally  noted.  His  great  success  as  a  surgeon 
gave  him  the  title  "father  of  American  surgery."  It  was  at 
this  interview,  Boehm  relates,  as  they  were  separating,  the 
bishop  inquired  what  he  should  pay  for  their  professional 
services.  They  answered,  'Nothing;  only  an  interest  in  your 
prayers.'  Said  Bishop  Asbury,  'As  I  do  not  like  to  be  in  debt 
we  will  pray  now ' ;  and  he  knelt  down  and  offered  a  most  im- 
pressive prayer  that  God  would  bless  and  reward  them  for 
their  kindness  to  him. 

May  5.  I  preached  under  an  apple  tree.  Came  into 
Newtown.  The  place  was  crowded  with  people  who 
came  in  to  see  a  lady  dipped ;  but  she  was  sick,  and  the 
curious  were  disappointed.  At  seven  o'clock  I  preached 
in  the  courthouse ;  this  labor  shall  not  be  in  vain. 
Lodged  with  Lawyer  Hugh  Ross,  now  a  Methodist 
preacher. 

Disastrous  Fire  in  New  York 

May  19  (New  York).  As  we  were  preparing  to  go  to 
the  house  of  God  a  dreadful  fire  broke  out,  consuming 
about  one  hundred  houses.  I  preached  to  some  serious 
sisters  in  John  Street.  I  ofiQciated  at  Greenwich  in  the 
new  chapel  after  dinner. 

May  28.  Conference  ceased  their  labors.  There  was 
little  trouble  in  the  business  of  appointments ;  stationed 
eighty-seven,  superannuated  two,  and  supernumeraries 
five ;  increase,  about  three  hundred.  There  were  three 
preachers  sent  to  other  Conferences.  The  society  in  New 
York  has  increased.  Our  chapels  are  neat,  and  their 
debt  is  not  heavy.     They  wish  to  rebuild  John   Street 


i8ii]  CLARKE  ON  MARRIAGE  637 

Church,  and  to  build  a  small  house  at  the  "Two  Mile 
Stone."  So  frequent  are  the  visits  of  the  people  to  talk 
or  to  do  business,  that  I  have  not  time  to  think  or  to 
])ray,  scarcely.  1  preached  at  the  "Twcj  .Mile  Stone,"  and 
retired  to  George  Suckley's.  I  resemble  my  Master  in 
one  thing- — I  cannot  be  hid  ;  they  tind  me  out. 

At  George  Ingraham's 

June  9  (Amenia,  New  York).  I  preached  at  George 
Ingraham's ;  there  were  many  people,  although  the  morn- 
ing was  rainy.  I  met  the  society  after  some  exhortations 
had  been  given.  There  has  been,  and  will  yet  be,  a  work 
in  this  town.  They  have  built  a  new  chape.  Lansford 
Whiting,  appointed  to  the  Western  Circuit,  in  returning 
from  Conference  at  New  York,  was  taken  with  smallpox, 
and  died  at  Poughkeepsie ;  he  was  solemn  in  deportment, 
and  very  pious ;  he  has  gone  to  an  early  crown.  How 
many  triumphant  witnesses  for  Jesus  have  passed  away 
before  my  eyes,  I  might  almost  say,  within  the  last 
forty  years ! 

June  10.  I  read  Adam  Clarke,  and  am  amused  as  well 
as  instructed.  He  indirectly  unchristianizes  all  old 
bachelors.  Woe  is  me !  It  was  not  good  that  Adam 
should  be  alone  for  better  reasons  than  any  that  Adam 
Clarke  has  given. 

June  ii.  We  rode  thirty  miles  to  Lenox,  in  Mass- 
achusetts, passing  Barrington  and  Stockbridge ;  1 
preached  at  eight  o'clock.  Here  are  walls  of  opposition 
to  be  leveled  before  we  can  hope  for  success.  Thence  on 
to  Pittsfield.  We  have  ridden  two  hundred  miles  since 
we  left  New  York,  and  have  preached  every  day,  and 
the  preachers  there  are  hardly  starting  to  their  stations ; 
but  they  have  wives ! 

June  ig  (Vermont).  A  heavy  ride  of  twenty  miles 
brought  us  to  Barnard.  Here  have  been  many  loca- 
tions, and  serious  failures  of  duty.     We  began  our  Con- 


638  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1811 

ference  on  Thursday ;  worked  with  great  expedition,  and 
finished  in  four  days  and  a  half.  On  the  Sabbath  I 
preached  to  about  three  thousand  people.  We  disposed 
of  eighty-seven  preachers,  and  each  man  took  his  station 
at  once,  and  without  hesitancy,  like  a  man  of  God.  Tues- 
day we  came  away,  as  Conference  broke  up  at  twelve 
o'clock.  At  one  o'clock  many  of  those  hardy  soldiers  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  were  already  to  horse,  and  their  faces  set 
to  the  wilds,  or  wherever  else  their  duty  calls  them.  On 
Wednesday  we  crossed  the  grand  mountain,  and  came 
into  Middlebury.  Here  is  collegecraft  and  priestcraft. 
We  have  a  respectable  little  society  of  about  twenty  mem- 
bers, but  no  chapel.  I  preached  in  the  courthouse.  I 
have  moved  a  subscription  to  build  a  house  sixty-four  by 
forty-four  feet,  on  the  lot  fronting  the  college.  The  Lord 
will  visit  Middlebury. 

June  30  (New  York).  I  preached  in  the  new  chapel 
lo  one  thousand  souls,  I  presume.  It  was  a  gracious 
time ;  the  Spirit  gave  and  applied  the  Word.  I  hastened 
to  Plattsburg  to  fill  an  appointment  at  four  o'clock,  where 
I  preached  in  a  very  commodious  tavern  room ;  the  Word 
was  great  by  the  power  of  God,  although  delivered  in 
v^eakness  of  body ;  the  heat  and  the  labor  almost  over- 
came me.    Rode  five  miles  in  the  evening  to  Burdock. 

Crosses  the  Saint  Lawrence 

July  i.  At  eight  o'clock  we  set  sail,  and  crossed  the 
Saint  Lawrence  by  rowing.  The  river  here  is  three  miles 
wide.  We  rode  through  Cornwall  in  the  night,  and  came 
to  Evan  Roy's,  making  forty-four  miles  for  the  day's 
journey.  It  is  surprising  how  we  make  nearly  fifty  miles 
a  day  over  such  desperate  roads  as  we  have  lately  trav- 
eled. We  lose  no  time ;  ah !  why  should  we,  it  is  so 
precious !  My  strong  aft'ection  for  the  people  of  the 
United  States  came  with  strange  power  upon  me  while 
I  was  crossing  the  line. 


i8ii]  PHILIP  EMBURY  639 

Bisliop  Aslniry  li.ul  for  a  number  of  years  desired  to  visit 
Canada.  In  1809,  when  in  Kentucky,  he  wrote  in  his  Journal, 
"  If  spared,  I  shall  see  Canada  before  I  die."  He  was  now 
making  use  of  the  interval  between  the  New  England  and 
Genesee  Conferences  for  the  journey.  Had  he  not  done  so  he 
would  never  have  seen  Canada,  for  the  following  year  war 
between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  was  begun,  and 
when  peace  was  declared  he  was  too  feeble  for  so  long  a  journey. 

Waste  of  Powder 

July  4.  On  the  opposite  shore  they  are  firhig  for  the 
Fourth  of  July.  What  have  I  to  do  with  this  waste  of 
powder?  I  pass  the  pageantry  of  the  day  unheeded  on 
the  other  side.  Why  should  I  have  new  feelings  in 
Canada?  Friday  I  preached  at  the  German  settlement; 
I  was  weak  in  bod}-,  yet  greatly  helped  in  speaking. 
Here  is  a  decent,  loving  people ;  my  soul  is  much  united 
to  them.  I  called  upon  Father  Dulmage,  and  on  Brother 
Hicks — a  branch  of  an  old  Irish  stock  of  Methodism  in 
New  York.  I  lodged  at  David  Breckenridge's,  above 
Johnston,  Canada. 

David  Breckenridge  was  a  local  deacon.  He  preached  the 
funeral  sermon  of  Barbara  Heck,  the  foundress  of  American 
Methodism,  who  died  suddenly  in  1804. 

July  io.  I  preached  in  the  new  chapel  at  Kingston.  I 
have  applied  a  poultice  to  my  foot.  I  must  do  something 
to  hasten  a  cure,  or  I  shall  scarcely  reach  Conference  in 
time.    Wrote  six  letters. 

July  14.  I  would  not  willingly  be  dumb ;  so  I  sent 
round  and  got  a  congregation,  to  whom  I  preached  at  the 
chapel.  I  met  the  society,  and  baptized  two  children.  I 
learn  from  a  conversation  had  with  Catherine  Detlor  that 
I'hilip  Embury  died  about  two  hundred  miles  from  New 
York;  he  was  much  esteemed  by  his  neighbors,  and  an 
esquire.  He  was  a  descendant  of  the  Palatines  who  set- 
tled in  Ireland.  Most  of  those  there,  and  their  offspring, 
have  given  themselves  to  the  Methodists.  He  injured 
himself  by  mowing,  and  died  somewhat  suddenly,  aged 


640  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1811 

forty-five,  greatly  loved  and  much  lamented.  Monday 
we  must  away,  and  leave  good  houses,  grand  Roman 
Catholic  church,  Episcopal  church,  and  Kingston,  with 
its  garrison  and  great  guns.  We  might  go  by  land, 
cross  three  ferries,  and  travel  desperate  roads,  or  we 
might  take  the  packet  for  Sacket  Harbor ;  we  chose  the 
latter.  A  tremendous  passage  we  had.  We  arrived  at 
two  o'clock  next  day.  Here  we  dined,  and  set  forward 
in  a  heavy  thunder  shower.  Friday,  sore,  lame,  weary,  I 
got  safe  to  Paris.  My  spirit  rejoiced  with  dear  Bishop 
McKendree.  He  nursed  me  as  if  I  had  been  his  own 
babe.  In  all  my  toils  and  sufferings  I  am  thankful  that  I 
failed  in  only  one  appointment.  Well,  I  have  been  in 
Canada,  and  find  it  like  all  stations  in  the  extremities ; 
there  are  difificulties  to  overcome,  and  prospects  to  cheer 
us.  Some  of  our  labors  have  not  been  so  faithful  and 
diligent  as  we  could  wish.  Dr.  Coke  says  fifteen  hundred 
miles  in  nine  weeks ;  I  may  say  sixteen  hundred  miles  in 
sixty  days.  He  writes  me  that  Parliament,  by  some  other 
act,  is  about  to  explain  the  toleration  act,  and  that  the 
Dissenters  have  taken  the  alarm.  This  is  exactly  what 
the  Establishment  have  had  for  some  time ;  and  no  mar- 
vel, while  the  Methodists  are  laboring,  by  night  and  by 
day,  from  village  to  village,  through  the  whole  United 
Kingdoms.  We  opened  the  Genesee  Conference.  We 
passed  thirty-eight  characters. 

Election  of  Delegates  to  General  Conference 

July  21.  I  preached  in  the  woods  at  ten  o'clock,  and 
again  at  two  o'clock.  Bishop  McKendree,  Brothers 
C)strander,  Ryan,  Kelsey,  and  Paddock  also  preached. 
There  might  be  two  thousand  people,  who  were  very  at- 
tentive. The  election  to  General  Conference  came  on, 
and  there  was  some  disposition  manifested  to  reject  the 
Canadians  and  presiding  elders.  The  stations  were  re- 
ceived in  great  peace.     We  have  about  forty  most  pleas- 


i8ii]    ELECTION  OF  PRESIDING  ELDERS        641 

ing  young  men.  There  arc  six  hundred  and  sixty-three 
on  the  present  Minutes.  It  is  said  the  wise  men  in  the 
New  York  Conference  have  discovered  that  it  will  be 
far  better  to  elect  the  presiding  elders  in  Conference,  and 
give  them  the  power  of  stationing  the  preachers.  I  sup- 
pose we  shall  hear  more  of  this.  If  the  preachers  take 
any  specific  power,  right,  or  privilege,  from  the  bishops 
which  the  General  Conference  may  have  given  them,  it 
is  clear  that  they  dissolve  the  whole  contract. 

Parts  with  Spark 

Aug.  2.  My  lame  horse  grows  worse.  We  stopped  at 
Dickson's,  where  I  gave  $90  for  a  mare  to  supply  the 
place  of  poor  Spark,  which  I  sold  for  $20.  When  about 
to  start  he  whickered  after  us ;  it  went  to  my  heart.  Poor 
slave,  how  much  toil  has  he  patiently  endured  for  me ! 

"Jane,"  "Fox,"  and  "Spark,"  the  three  faithful  beasts  who 
bore  Asbury  on  his  long  journeys,  incline  one  to  hope  that  Mr. 
Wesley's  theory  of  the  second  life  of  good  quadrupeds  may  be 
true. 

Aug.  3.  We  have  made  a  journey  of  twelve  hundred 
miles  since  leaving  New  York.  My  consolations  exceed- 
ingly abound  in  God,  though  my  sufferings  be  great. 
The  eight  Conferences  have  furnished  us  with  $25  each, 
making  $200;  our  expenses  hitherto  are  $130. 

Aug.  9  (Pennsylvania).  We  reached  Martin  Boehm's, 
twenty  miles.  My  flesh  is  ready  to  think  it  something  for 
a  man  of  sixty-six,  with  a  highly  inflamed  and  painful 
foot,  to  ride  nearly  four  hundred  miles  on  a  stumbling, 
starting  horse,  slipping  or  blundering  over  desperate 
roads  from  Paris  to  this  place  in  twelve  days. 

Aug.  II.  I  preached  in  Boehm's  Chapel.  There  is  a 
camp  meeting  thirty  miles  distant  from  hence,  but  I  can- 
not be  there ;  I  have  the  will,  but  I  want  time  and 
strength.  Yesterday  and  to-day  I  have  written  fifteen 
letters. 


642  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1811 

Sept.  2.  I  rested  to-day.  Wrote  to  Dr.  Coke,  to 
Brothers  Hitt,  George,  Wells,  Gruber,  Jackson.  Wednes- 
day, at  Stubenville,  I  must  needs  preach  in  Basil  Wells's 
fine  house.  This  place  had  been  well-nigh  given  up,  but, 
behold,  now  an  elegant  brick  chapel  fifty  by  thirty-five 
feet,  on  a  grand  eminence. 

An  Ohio  Camp  Meeting 

Sept.  15  (Ohio).  I  preached  at  the  camp  meeting, 
and  labored  hard.  I  availed  myself  of  my  situation  to 
lay  a  twelve  days'  plan.  There  is  good  done  here.  I  do 
not  like  the  disposition  of  some  of  the  ground,  and  think 
also  that  better  regulations  might  be  made,  and  more 
order  kept. 

Sept.  22.  I  preached  in  the  courthouse  at  Dayton. 
We  may  have  had  one  thousand  people  to  hear  us.  Din- 
nerless,  we  came  in  the  evening  to  Nathan  Horner's,  and 
supped  and  lodged.  Tuesday,  at  Lebanon,  I  preached 
and  called  the  society  together.  We  devised  the  building 
of  a  chapel  of  brick,  forty  by  sixty  feet,  and  one  story 
high.  Frederick  Stiers  reports  that  there  was  a  great 
work  of  God  at  Blount  camp  meeting,  in  the  Holston 
District ;  at  Lee,  at  Tazewell,  at  Washington,  at  Ten- 
nessee, at  Green,  at  Hawkins,  at  Winton,  at  PoweH's 
Valley,  at  Tennessee  Valley — at  all  these  there  were 
many  souls  converted. 

Oct.  5  (Cincinnati,  Ohio).  We  have  been  five  days 
sitting  in  Conference.  There  has  been  weighty  and 
critical  business  before  us,  but  we  wrought  with  industry 
and  good  order.  Sunday  I  preached,  Bishop  McKendree 
also,  as  did  others,  and  our  labor  has  not  been  in  vain. 
We  occupied  the  market  house  as  well  as  the  chapel. 
Friday,  after  a  session  of  ten  days,  our  Western  Con- 
ference rose.  I  had  little  trouble  about  the  stations ;  I 
heard  of  no  complaints.  There  were  one  hundred  and 
two  preachers,  one  hundred  of  whom  are  stationed. 


i8ii]  JAMES  B.  FINLEY  643 

It  was  at  this  Conference  that  James  B.  Finley  was  ordained. 
He  related  in  later  years  an  incident  of  this  Conference  which 
is  interesting:  "Bishop  Asbury  said  to  the  preachers:  'Breth- 
ren, if  any  of  you  shall  have  anything  peculiar  in  your  circum- 
stances that  should  be  known  to  the  superintendent  in  making 
your  appointment,  if  you  will  drop  me  a  note,  I  will,  as  far  as 
will  be  compatible  with  the  great  interests  of  the  church, 
endeavor  to  accommodate  you.'  I  had  a  great  desire  to  go 
West,  because  I  had  relatives,  which  called  me  in  that  direction, 
and  it  would  be  more  pleasant  to  be  with  them;  so  I  sat  down 
and  addressed  a  polite  note  to  the  bishop,  requesting  him  to 
send  me  West.  My  request  was  not  granted.  I  was  sent  a 
hundred  miles  East.  I  said  to  him:  'If  that's  the  way  you 
answer  prayers  you  will  get  no  more  prayers  from  me.'  '  Well,' 
he  said,  '  be  a  good  son,  James,  and  all  things  will  work  together 
for  good.' " 

Oct.  13.  I  preached  once  more  in  the  chapel.  It  was 
a  farewell  warning-  to  the  preachers.  I  met  the  society, 
baptized  some  children,  and  visited  the  sick.  Monday 
we  took  to  horse,  and  came  to  h'almouth,  forty-two  miles. 

A  Week's  Itinerary 

Oct.  20  (Kentucky).  We  found  the  Cumberland  ris- 
ing. We  rode  twenty-five  miles  to  White's,  and  rested. 
Monday,  to  Cheek's.  Tuesday,  to  Conway's.  It  is  hard 
labor,  but  God  is  with  us.  Wednesday,  to  Louisville. 
Thursday,  we  started  at  seven  o'clock,  and  came  in  at 
seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  have  made  no  great 
headway.  We  put  up  at  L.  Bostwick's.  I  preached  at 
Louisville,  in  great  affliction  of  body,  but  it  was  a  liberal 
season.  Glory  be  to  God  for  that !  Friday,  a  heavy  ride 
to  Waynesburg ;  stopped  at  Colonel  Milton's.  Satur- 
day, after  preaching  in  the  old  church,  I  retired  to  the 
house  of  the  late  Henry  Moore,  deceased.  Wrote  a  very 
serious  letter  to  Samuel  Dunwody,  on  his  taking  the 
charge  of  the  IMississippi  District.  What  a  field  is 
opened,  and  opening  daily  in  this  New  World ! 

"I  will  give  a  specimen  of  the  lights  and  shadows  of  the 
itinerancy.  Friday,  about  half  an  hour  after  dark,  we  came 
to   Rock   Castle   Bridge,    and   wished   for   entertainment   over 


644  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1812 

night.  The  answer  was,  'All  full.'  The  bishop,  sick  and 
feeble  as  he  was,  and  I,  had  to  grope  our  way  seven  miles  before 
there  was  another  place  at  which  we  could  put  up.  We  both 
rejoiced  when  we  reached,  as  we  supposed,  the  end  of  our 
journey  for  that  toilsome  day.  We  inquired  if  they  could 
entertain  us.  The  answer  was,  'No  admittance.'  On  we 
went  a  mile  farther,  and  wished  to  tarry  over  night.  The 
answer  was,  '  No  room.'  We  began  to  despair.  The  hour  was 
late.  Then  we  came  across  a  person  who  kindly  conducted  us 
through  the  dark  woods  amid  stumps  and  stones  for  several 
miles  to  the  house  of  a  kind  friend,  who  exhibited  a  hospitality 
worthy  of  patriarchal  times.  We  rode  forty-seven  miles  that 
day.  It  was  eleven  at  night  when  we  arrived.  We  had  had 
no  dinner  or  supper,  so  they  gave  us  a  delicious  meal  that 
answered  for  both.  This  was  at  Waynesburg,  and  the 
family  that  so  kindly  entertained  us  was  Colonel  Milton's.  We 
did  not  retire  till  midnight,  and  next  morning  at  five  o'clock 
we  were  again  on  our  journey." — Boelnn. 

Nov.  19  (Georgia).  I  have  dispatched  eleven  official 
letters.  Milliard  Judge  is  chosen  chaplain  to  the  Legis- 
lature of  South  Carolina ;  and  O,  great  Snethen  is  chap- 
lain to  Congress !  So ;  we  begin  to  partake  of  the  honor 
that  Cometh  from  man.  Now  is  our  time  of  danger.  O 
Lord,  keep  us  pure,  keep  us  correct,  keep  us  holy ! 

An  Earthquake  Shock 

Nov.  25.  We  had  a  serious  shock  of  an  earthquake 
this  morning — a  sad  presage  of  future  sorrows,  perhaps. 
Lord,  make  us  ready  ! 

Dec.  6  (Camden,  South  Carolina).  Our  Conference 
rose  this  day.  Scarcely  have  I  seen  such  harmony  and 
love.  There  are  eighty-five  preachers  stationed.  The 
increase,  wathin  its  bounds,  is  three  thousand  three  hun- 
dred and  eighty.  We  have  a  great  deal  of  faithful 
preaching,  and  there  were  many  ordinations.  I  received 
letters  from  the  extremities  and  the  center  of  our  vast 
continent,  all  pleasing,  all  encouraging. 

Jan.  I,  1812.  A  steady  ride  of  thirty-eight  miles 
brought  us  into  Charleston.  The  highways  were  little 
occupied  by  travelers  of  any  kind,  which  was  the  more 


i8i2]       AN^TTENTIVE  CONGREGATION  645 

providential  for  mc,  for  my  lameness  and  my  light  fly 
cart  would  have  made  a  shock  of  the  slightest  kind  disa- 
greeable. I  was  anxious  also  to  pass  this  first  day  of  the 
new  year  in  undisturbed  prayer. 

Jan.  16  (North  Carolina).  We  made  this  a  sacra- 
mental day.  What  will  not  perseverance  and  manage- 
ment do !  Here  we  have  built  a  neat  little  chapel,  costing 
but  $1,200,  of  which  .$1,050  is  paid. 

Feb.  2.  At  Tarboro  I  preached  to  a  serious,  atten- 
tive congregation.  I  ])reached  in  the  afternoon  also  at 
Brother  Hall's.  Monday  I  breakfasted  with  Mr.  Austin, 
an  English  Baptist ;  his  wife  with  us ;  my  business  with 
him  was  to  charge  him  most  solemnly  to  hold  a  perpetual 
pra}er  meeting  every  Wednesday  evening  in  his  house. 

Charge  Against  Asbtiry  for  Ordaining  a  Slave 

Fee.  20  (Richmond.  Virginia).  Our  Conference 
began.  The  affair  of  James  Boyd  and  Henry  Hardy 
detained  us  two  days  from  other  business.  We  shall  not 
station  more  than  seventy-five  preachers  this  year,  a  less 
number  than  last.  A  charge  has  been  brought  against 
me  for  ordaining  a  slave,  but  there  was  no  further  pur- 
suit of  the  case  when  it  was  discovered  that  I  was  ready 
with  my  certificates  to  prove  his  freedom;  the  subject  of 
contention  was  nearly  white,  and  his  respectable  father 
would  neither  own  nor  manumit  him.  I  shall  mention 
no  names.  Old  Virginia,  because  of  the  great  emigra- 
tions westward,  and  deaths,  decreases  in  the  number  she 
gives  to  the  Methodists,  but  new  Virginia  gains.  Dr. 
Jennings  was  at  Conference,  and  preached  often  for  us, 
and  was  much  followed. 

Mar.  15  (Fredericksburg).  The  Methodists  have 
done  great  good  here.  Since  they  began  to  preach 
the  Baptists  and  Presbyterians  have  built  meetinghouses. 
I  called,  on  Wednesday,  on  my  friend  Mr.  Carter,  who 
has  now  six  children  in  society;  surely  the  time  to  favor 


646  ^ASBURY'S  JOURNAL      .  [1812 

this  family  is  come.  We  labored  along  to  Leesburg, 
stemming  the  cold  and  boisterous  Northwest.  Friday 
and  Saturday  were  spent  in  happy,  loving  conference. 
My  task  was  to  ordain  sixteen  deacons.  I  preached,  so 
also  did  Brother  McKendree. 

Mar.  29.  I  was  three  hours  reading,  praying,  preach- 
ing, and  meeting  the  society,  white  and  colored.  It  was 
a  day  of  God  and  of  his  power.  My  congregation  chiefly 
from  the  country.    A  cold  ride  brought  us  to  Liberty. 

I\L\R.  31.  We  moved  forward,  calling  on  Brothers 
Jones  and  A.  Warfield.  Lodged  under  the  roof  of  Nancy 
Willis.  There  are  many  late  converts  around  her:  Frank 
Hollingsworth  and  his  wife,  Henry  Willis,  and  a  young 
lady  with  fifty  thousand  dollars — can  she  get  and  keep 
religion?    I  doubt. 

Apr.  I.  I  preached  at  Joshua  Tipton's;  this  is  an 
ancient  friend  whom  I  have  not  visited  for  eight  years. 
Boehm  preached  in  German.  Thursday,  dined  near 
L'nion  Chapel  at  Mr.  Matthews's,  and  went  forward  to 
Meredith's.  Friday,  a  cold,  disagreeable  ride  brought  us 
across  the  country  to  Samuel  Brinkley's ;  here  I  received 
the  first  intelligence  of  the  death  of  my  dear  old  friend 
Martin  Boehm.    What  a  good  man  he  was ! 

Fttneral  Sermon  of  Martin  Boehm 

Apr.  5  (Pennsylvania).  I  preached  at  Boehm's  Chapel 
the  funeral  sermon  of  Martin  Boehm,  and  gave  my  au- 
dience some  very  interesting  particulars  of  his  life. 

Henry  Boehm,  a  son  of  Martin  Boehm,  says:  "I  had  heard 
the  venerable  Asbury  often  when  he  was  great,  and  he  was 
pecuHafly  great  on  funeral  occasions,  but  then  he  far  tran- 
scended himself." 

Apr.  12.  I  preached  at  old  Israel  Anderson's.  Our 
friend  has  been  in  fellowship  with  us  thirty-two  years, 
and  has  been  honored  by  missions  from  his  country  and 
district  to  the  Legislature  and  to  Congress.     His  family 


i8i2]  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  647 

of  children  are  pleasing.    Twice  only  have  I  ever  visited 
this  neighborhood. 

May  I  (New  York).  Our  General  Conference  began. 
During  the  session  I  saw  nothing  like  unkindness  but 
once,  and  there  were  many  and  weighty  affairs  discussed. 
I  hope  very  few  rules  will  be  made.  We  may  disquiet 
ourselves  in  vain. 

An  Additional  Bishop  to  he  Chosen 

May  10.  At  the  African  church  in  the  morning;  I 
preached  also  at  the  Hudson  chapel.  A  subject  before 
the  Conference  was  the  question,  If  local  deacons,  after 
four  years  of  probation,  should  be  elected  to  the  elder- 
ship by  two  thirds  of  the  Conference,  having  no  slaves, 
and  having  them,  to  manumit  them  where  the  laws 
allowed  it — it  passed  by  a  majority.  On  Saturday  a 
motion  was  made  to  strengthen  the  episcopacy  by  adding 
another  bishop. 

May  17.  I  preached  at  Brooklyn  in  our  elegant  house. 
After  a  serious  struggle  of  two  days  in  General  Confer- 
ence to  change  the  mode  of  appointing  presiding  elders, 
it  remains  as  it  was.  Means  had  been  used  to  keep  back 
every  presiding  elder  who  was  known  to  be  favorable  to 
appointments  by  the  bishops ;  and  long  and  earnest 
speeches  have  been  made  to  influence  the  minds  of  the 
members :  Lee,  Shinn,  and  Snethen,  were  of  a  side  ;  and 
these  are  great  men.  Many  matters  of  small  moment 
passed  under  review,  and  were  regulated.  Mr.  Shaw,  of 
London,  called  to  see  me.  and  I  had  seventeen  of  the 
preachers  to  dine  with  me ;  there  was  vinegar,  mustard, 
and  a  still  greater  portion  of  oil ;  but  the  disappointed 
parties  sat  down  in  peace,  and  we  enjoyed  our  sober  meal. 
We  should  thank  God  that  we  are  not  at  war  with  each 
other,  as  are  the  Episcopalians,  with  the  pen  and  the  press 
as  their  weapons  of  warfare.  At  the  Two-Mile  Stone  my 
subject  was  i  Pet.  4.  6-9.    I  preached  also  at  Greenwich. 


648  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1812 

and  at  John  Street  Chapel.  On  Tuesday  I  breakfasted 
with  Colonel  Few.  Some  good  widows  collected  above 
$200  for  the  poor  preachers  in  New  England  states ; 
Sister  Seney  I  must  make  honorable  mention  of  as  being 
very  active  in  this  labor  of  love. 

At  the  close  of  the  General  Conference  Bishop  Asbury  went 
to  Albany,  New  York,  to  hold  the  New  York  Conference,  which 
assembled  June  4 ;  thence  to  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  for  the  New 
England  Conference,  June  20,  and  afterward  to  Lyons,  New 
York,  where  the  Genesee  Conference  met  on  account  of  the 
war  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  instead  of 
Niagara,  Upper  Canada,  the  place  designated  at  the  Confer- 
ence the  previous  year.  The  Canadian  preachers  were  all 
absent. 

July  30.    I  will  leave  Newtown  this  afternoon.    There 

must  be  a  great  change  here.     We   came   away,   after 

m.eeting,    to    Elijah    Griswold's.      My    host    is    a    brand 

plucked   from  the  burning;   strong  drink  had  scorched 

him  forty  years.    He  had  a  pious  son  who  watched  over 

and  prayed   for  him,   and   he  himself  never  closed  his 

doors  against  the  pious.     The  Lord  heard  prayer  on  his 

behalf,  and  has  entirely  delivered  him  from  the  love  of 

whisky.     I  hear  of  another  wonderful  emancipation  from 

the  slavery  of  drunkenness. 

The  Guest  of  a  Former  Whisky  Maker 

Aug.  2  (Pennsylvania).  We  rested  at  Joshua  Ken- 
ney's,  Walnut  Bottom.  My  congregation  might  amount 
to  one  hundred.  Our  host  was  a  whisky  maker,  but  now 
it  is  a  house  for  God.  For  forty  years  past  we  have 
preached  the  gospel  from  the  mouth  to  the  branches,  and 
up  them,  of  the  great  river  Susquehanna ;  the  fruit  of 
our  labor  has  begun  to  appear  within  the  last  five  years; 
we  shall  see  it  yet  more  abundant. 

Aug.  5.  We  came  along  down  the  turnpike,  and 
rough  we  found  it.  Farewell  to  Merwine's — I  lodge  no 
more  there ;  whisky — hell ;  as  most  of  the  taverns  here 
are.    Our  Thursday's  ride  brought  us  rapidly  to  Lehigh. 


i8i2]  THE  GREATEST  CURSE  649 

We  crossed  at  the  ford,  and  had  little  time  to  admire  the 
beautiful  country  above  and  below.  The  Germans  are 
decent  in  their  behavior  in  this  neighborhood,  and  would 
be  more  so,  were  it  not  for  vile  whisky.  This  is  the  prime 
curse  of  the  United  States,  and  will  be,  I  fear  much,  the 
ruin  of  all  that  is  excellent  in  morals  and  government  in 
them.     Lord,  interpose  thine  arm  ! 

A  Strange  Medley 

Aug.  30.  We  came  up  the  mountain,  dining  at  Mus- 
sulman's, and  going  thence  forward  to  Tomlinson's. 
There  was  a  strange  medley  of  preachers,  drovers,  beasts 
on  four  legs,  and  beasts  made  by  whisky  on  two,  traveling 
on  the  turnpike  at  one  time. 

Sept.  2.  We  met  my  friend  Judge  Van  Meter,  at  the 
bottom  of  Laurel  Hill,  with  five  hundred  fat  steers  from 
his  prairie  in  Ohio.  If  he  can  undertake  this  labor  and 
perform  it  cheerfully  for  the  sake  of  gain,  why  should  I 
complain  of  my  sufferings?  There  are  very  distressing 
rumors  abroad.  My  mind  is  fixed  on,  "Ye  are  of  more 
value  than  many  sparrows."  After  losing  so  much  rest, 
I  could  have  wished  to  sleep  without  annoyance  from 
fleas  or  bedbugs.  Two  innkeepers  on  our  route,  Besoon 
and  Tomlinson,  declare  against  keeping  or  selling  liquid 
fire ;  this  is  great.  The  ministry  are  instructed  to  be 
careful  to  preach  to  the  soldiers,  wherever  opportunity 
offers.  The  Union  Volunteers  desired  a  sermon,  so  I 
gave  a  discourse  on  the  ground:  my  svibject  was  Jer. 
2.  13. 

Sept.  7.  I  have  been  pleased  by  reading,  at  intervals, 
Benson's  Life  of  Fletcher.  The  man  of  God  was  worn 
out  before  he  married  ;  and  where  else  might  he  have 
found  such  a  nurse  and  helper  and  shepherdess  in  a  wife? 
but,  possibly,  he  would  have  lived  longer  had  he  traveled. 
Comparing  myself  with  Fletcher,  what  am  I,  in  piety, 
wisdom,  labors,  and  usefulness  ?    God  be  gracious  to  me ! 


650  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1812 

Sept.  8.  May  I  make  the  best  of  the  remains  of  Hfe. 
I  presume  we  had  ten  thousand  at  the  Liberty  camp 
meeting,  and  five  thousand  at  the  meeting  in  this  neigh- 
borhood of  Uniontown.  Forty  persons  came  forward 
to  enroll  their  names  in  society  with  us.  Li  Washington 
on  Thursday  I  preached  on  i  Pet.  3.  10-15;  it  was  a 
solemn  time,  and  indeed  there  was  reason.  Samuel 
Porter,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  came  to  meeting.  Un- 
able to  sit  up,  he  lay  down  upon  the  seat ;  it  would  appear 
that  he  is  not  long  for  this  world.  I  lent  him  Fletcher's 
Life.    It  has  been  a  great  comfort  to  me. 

Many  Preciows  Souls 

Sept.  14.  At  Indian  Short  Creek  camp  meeting  called 
on  to  preach.  We  have  had  eighty-four  tents  on  the 
ground,  four  hundred  and  fifty  communicants,  and  forty 
persons  have  joined  us.  The  work  of  God  was  uninter- 
rupted night  and  day,  and  we  doubt  not  many  precious 
souls  were  converted.  I  shall  have  traveled  six  thousand 
miles  in  eight  months,  and  met  in  nine  Conferences,  and 
have  been  present  at  ten  camp  meetings. 

Sept.  15.  We  came  away  thirty  miles  to  Barnesville, 
v.'here  I  delivered  my  testimony.  The  Methodists  seem 
to  have  almost  entire  influence  in  this  town. 

Sept.  17.  We  set  out  in  the  rain,  and  came  thirty 
miles  to  Zanesville.  We  have  a  meetinghouse  here,  and 
at  Fairfield.  It  is  a  time  of  trouble  on  the  frontiers ;  the 
Indians  have  killed  and  scalped  some  whites,  it  is  said. 

Sept.  18.  We  attended  Rush  Creek  camp  meeting. 
The  work  of  God  during  the  night  was  awfully  powerful. 
Many  Germans  present  were  deeply  serious. 

Sept.  20.  I  preached.  The  whole  night  was  spent  in 
prayer.  We  had  a  sermon  on  Monday  morning,  and  the 
sacrament  followed ;  there  might  be  two  hundred  and 
fifty  communicants.  I  lodged  with  Edward  Teel,  aged 
seventy-seven.     I  had  known  him  forty  years. 


i8i2]  SLEEP,  SLEEP,  SLEEP  651 

Oct.  7  (Chillicothe,  Ohio).  The  Ohio  Conference  sat 
from  Thursday,  October  the  first,  to  Wednesday,  the 
seventh  ;  we  had  great  order.  The  writer  of  this  Journal 
labored  diHgently,  and  was  much  assisted  by  the  elder- 
ship in  the  business  of  the  stations.  He  preached  three 
limes,  was  called  ui)()n  to  ordain  twelve  deacons,  and  also 
to  ordain  elders.  Ui)on  the  last  day  his  strength  failed. 
I  want  sleep,  sleep,  sleep ;  for  three  hours  I  lay  undis- 
turbed in  bed,  to  which  I  had  stolen  on  Wednesday,  but 
they  called  me  up  to  read  off  the  stations.  I  have  a  con- 
siderable fever,  but  we  must  move. 

The   great    Western   Conference   had   been   divided   by   the 
General  Conference  into  the  Ohio  and  the  Tennessee. 

Oct.  10.  We  have  had  rain.  We  fed  on  our  way,  and 
continued  onward  through  a  great  storm  of  thunder, 
lightning,  and  rain,  to  Cincinnati.  O,  let  us  not  complain 
when  we  think  of  the  suffering,  wounded,  and  dying,  of 
the  hostile  armies!  If  we  suffer,  what  shall  comfort  us? 
Let  us  see — Ohio  will  give  six  thousand  for  her  increase 
of  members  in  one  new  district ! 

Oct.  15.  I  attended  Ratcliff's  Chapel,  and  ordained 
Brother  Cornelius  Ruddle  a  local  elder ;  he  officiated  in 
my  place  in  the  pulpit.  I  preached  in  the  house  of  his 
father  in  1780.     How  strangely  I  often  find  the  lost! 

Preaches  in  Hotise  of  Representatives 

Oct.  16.  I  preached  in  the  chamber  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  in  Frankfort.  I  conversed  with  some  of 
the  respectables,  and  found  one  who  had  made  one  of 
my  company  twenty-three  years  ago  in  a  journey  through 
the  wilderness. 

Oct.  30.  We  came  away  late  to  Nashville,  stopping 
on  our  way  to  speak  to  the  widow  Bowen,  the  daughter 
of  my  ancient  friend,  the  late  General  Russell ;  this  lady 
hath  three  daughters  who  profess  religion;  surely  we 
have  not  prayed  in  vain. 


652  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1812 

Nov.  I.  I  preached  in  the  new,  neat  brick  house, 
thirty-four  feet  square,  with  galleries.  Twelve  years 
ago  I  preached  in  the  old  stone  house,  taken  down  since 
to  make  a  site  for  the  statehouse.  The  latter  house  ex- 
ceeds the  former  in  glory,  and  stands  exactly  where  our 
house  of  worship  should  by  right  have  stood,  but  we 
bear  all  things  patiently. 

Lodges  in  a  Jail 

Nov.  2.  We  left  our  lodging  in  the  jail  house,  and 
came  away  to  Green  Hill's.  I  conclude  that  next  year 
we  shall  visit  and  hold  a  Conference  in  Mississippi,  if  so 
directed  and  permitted.  I  find  old  acquaintances  here 
from  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 

Nov.  9.    We  started  away  in  the  rain  to  James  Gwin's. 

Gwin  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  in  Tennessee,  and  with 
Andrew  Jackson  he  fought  the  Cherokee  Indians.  General 
Jackson  greatly  admired  him.  He  was  chaplain  in  Jackson's 
army  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  He  was  a 
noble  man,  and  did  noble  service  in  the  Western  and  Tennessee 
Conferences.  Bishop  McKendree  and  James  Gwin  were  long 
intimate  friends,  and  the  latter  named  his  son  after  the  bishop. 
There  was  a  chapel  not  far  from  his  house  called  "  Gwin  Chapel." 

We  opened  our  Conference  in  great  peace.  Forty 
deacons  were  ordained,  and  ten  elders.  The  traveling 
and  local  ministry  amounts  to  sixty-two. 

Nov.  21.  We  had  a  quiet,  leisurely  ride  of  thirty-one 
miles  to  Winton's.  Driving  my  sulky  over  such  roads, 
and  through  such  uncommon  colds,  causes  me  to  suffer 
deeply  for  the  last  few  days.  I  am  comforted  with  an 
increase  of  eight  thousand  in  the  Tennessee  Conference. 
If  we  meet  the  Mississippi  Conference,  as  appointed,  in 
November,  1813,  we  shall  have  gone  entirely  round  the 
United  States  in  forty-two  years ;  but  there  will  be  other 
states.  Well,  God  will  raise  up  men  to  make  and  to  meet 
Conferences  in  them  also,  if  we  remain  faithful  as  a 
people. 


i8i2]  INTENSE  PAIN  653 

Nov.  30.  We  stopped  at  Michael  Bollen's  on  our 
route,  where  I  gave  them  a  discourse  on  Luke  11.  11-13. 
Why  should  we  climb  over  the  desperate  Spring  and 
Paint  Mountains  when  there  is  such  a  fine  new  road? 
We  came  on  Tuesday  a  straight  course  to  Barratt's,  din- 
ing in  the  woods  on  our  way. 

Dec.  9.  I  cannot  easily  describe  the  pain  under  which 
I  shrink  and  writhe.  The  weather  is  cold,  and  1  have 
constant  pleuritic  twinges  in  the  side.  In  cold,  in  hunger, 
and  in  want  of  clothing,  mine  are  apostolic  sufferings. 
Jacob  Rumph  is  dead,  and  so  are  Elder  Capers  and  James 
Rembert ;  these  were  early  friends  to  the  Methodists  in 
South  Carolina,  and  left  the  world  in  the  triumph  of 
faith.    We  are  in  Camden. 

Dec.  13  (Columbia,  South  Carolina).  I  preached  in 
the  legislative  chamber,  and  had  the  members  for  a  part 
of  my  congregation.  Monday,  at  the  house  of  the  widow 
of  General  Jacob  Rumph ;  the  father  and  son  both  died 
in  the  Lord.  This  house  has  been  open  to  the  Methodists 
for  about  twenty-seven  years,  whether  in  peace  or  per- 
secution. Jacob  traveled  nearly  four  years ;  so  meek,  so 
mild,  diligent,  and  simple-hearted,  so  sincerely  good. 

Eye  to  Eye 

Dec.  20  (Charleston,  South  Carolina).  I  preached  at 
Cumberland  Chapel  in  the  morning,  and  at  Bethel  in  the 
afternoon.  The  presiding  eldership  and  the  episcopacy 
saw  eye  to  eye  in  the  business  of  the  stations :  there  were 
no  murmurings  from  the  eighty-four  employed.  Christ- 
mas Day  was  a  day  of  fasting,  and  we  dined  one  hundred 
at  our  house  on  bread  and  water,  and  a  little  tea  or 
coffee  in  the  evening.  Funds  are  low ;  but  our  church  is 
inured  to  poverty,  and  the  preachers  may  be  called  the 
poor  of  this  world,  as  well  as  their  flocks. 

Dec.  28.  Letters — letters  to  write !  We  send  two 
missionaries  to  Mississippi.     Religion  is  not  fashionable 


654  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1813 

in  Charleston.  Tuesday,  receiving  visitors.  Our  house 
is  a  house  of  prayer. 

Dec.  31.  Came  to  Georgetown.  I  am  now  at  home 
here  after  twenty-nine  years  of  labor.  Many  letters  call 
my  attention.  We  hear  of  a  blessed  work  in  James  River 
District,  camp  meetings  the  great  instrument.  We  have 
also  a  pleasing  account  in  a  letter  from  Joel  Winch,  New 
London  District,  Bristol.  Rhode  Island,  of  a  work  of 
God;  one  hundred  have  joined,  and  other  converts  there 
were  who  have  joined  the  Baptists  and  Episcopalians. 
Were  these  stolen  from  us? 

Jan.  17,  1813.  They  carried  me  into  the  church.  I 
ordained  two  deacons  and  one  elder.  I  failed  in  strength 
after  preaching,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Turner,  a  Presbyterian, 
concluded  our  meeting  by  prayer.  I  came  home,  applied 
three  blisters,  and  retired  in  a  high  fever  to  bed.  A 
fourth  blister  completed  the  work. 

Jan.  24.  I  was  carried  into  the  church,  preached,  and 
met  the  society.  I  preached  again  in  the  evening.  A 
bread  poultice  has  procured  me  a  mitigation  of  pain. 
Lord,  be  merciful  to  me  in  temporals  and  spirituals ! 
William  Capers  is  married ;  he  is  twenty-three,  his  wife 
eighteen. 

Afterward  bishop  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 

Feb.  4.  Once  more  I  put  on  my  leather  shoes.  O,  the 
sufferings  I  have  endured — patiently,  I  hope !  One  more 
warning  I  gave  these  people,  on  Heb.  2.  1-4;  it  is  per- 
haps the  last.  I  am  occupied  in  marking  for  reprint 
about  three  hundred  pages  of  Baxter. 

On  Crutches 

Feb.  8.  I  am  in  Newberry  on  crutches,  reading,  re- 
ceiving the  visits  of  presiding  elders,  and  writing  letters. 

Feb.  10.  We  opened  our  Conference  in  Sister  Ten- 
kard's  elegant  schoolroom.     We  had  great  order,  great 


1813]  WITH  OTTERBEIN  655 

union,  and  great  dispatch  of  business.    The  increase  here 
in  membership  this  year  is  seven  hundred. 

Feb.  22.  I  hahed  at  James  Barratt's,  and  ordained 
John  ]\Ioore,  Edward  Price,  and  Edward  Dromgoole, 
one  after  the  other,  as  they  happened  to  drop  in.  I  lec- 
tured in  the  evening.  I  am  driven  from  task  to  task  by 
the  urgent  necessity  of  the  work. 

Whitehead's  Life  of  Wesley 

Feb.  28.  I  preached  in  Richmond  old  chapel,  gave 
counsel  to  the  tarrying  society,  baptized  two  infants,  and 
ordained  John  Sullivan  and  William  Whitehead  deacons. 
]  spoke  again  in  the  afternoon  to  a  congregation  made 
up  of  the  young  and  the  aged.  The  Presbyterians  and 
Episcopalians  are  striving  to  have  places  of  worship.  I 
have  looked  into  Whitehead's  Life  of  Wesley.  He  is 
villified.     O  shame ! 

]\L\R.  7  (Georgetown).  I  changed  my  subject  after 
getting  into  the  church,  and  I  spoke  long  and  plainly. 
We  have  news  irom  the  English  Conference.  It  has 
given  me  an  invitation  to  my  native  land,  engaging  to 
pay  the  expenses  of  the  visit. 

Performs  a  Marriage  Ceremony 

Mar.  8.  I  sat  upon  the  carpet,  reading  and  writing. 
William  Watters  visited  me.  In  the  evening  I  per- 
formed the  ceremony  of  marriage. 

Mar.  22.  A  heavy  ride  brought  us  to  Baltimore.  I 
gave  an  evening  to  the  great  Otterbein.  I  found  him 
placid  and  happy  in  God.  He  says  the  commentators 
are  mistaken,  that  the  vials  are  yet  to  be  poured  out. 

"That  was  an  evening  I  shall  ever  remember;  two  noble 
souls  met,  and  their  conversation  was  rich  and  full  of  instruc- 
tion. They  had  met  frequently  before;  this  was  their  last 
interview  on  earth." — Boehm. 

Tuesday  I  had  a  serious  interview  with  the  presiding 


656 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1813 


elders.     Wednesday   we  opened   Conference,   and   went 
forward  in  our  business  in  great  peace  and  order. 

Apr.  I.  Conference  rose  in  great  order  and  peace.  I 
stationed  eighty-three  preachers.  This  Conference  holds, 
in  their  several  relations,  ninety  preachers,  twenty  thou- 


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1 

BARRATT  S    CHAPEL.      SIDE   VIEW. 

The  oldest   Methodist  chapel  in  Delaware,    and   one  of  the    oldest  in 
America.      It  is  situated  near  Frederica,  Delaware. 


sand  two  hundred  and  seventy-two  members  white,  and 
seven  hundred  and  ninety-nine  colored.  We  came  away 
to  Perry  Hall.    Alas  !  how  solitary  ! 

Apr.  4.  At  Boehm's  Chapel  I  expounded  2  Tim.  2.  15. 
Henry  Boehm  preached  in  German ;  James  Norton  in 
English.    The  society  received  an  exhortation.    Monday 


1813]  FEEBLE  AND  FAINT  657 

I  wrote  a  letter  to  my  liritish  brethren,  thanking  them  for 
their  kind  invitation  to  visit  them. 

Ai'K.  20.  I  preached  in  Barratt's  Chapel,  dined  at 
Dover,  and  slept  at  Smyrna;  making  a  journey  of  forty 
miles. 

Apr.  21.  There  was  a  high  wind,  and  I  set  ont,  feeble 
and  faint,  and  reached  Wilmington.  I  lodged  with  Gov- 
ernor Bassett.  My  peace  flows  like  a  river.  I  suppose 
we  have,  in  sixteen  circuits,  ten  chapels  in  each.  I 
preached  for  the  folks  in  Wilmington. 

May  5  (Burlington,  New  Jersey).  Busy  writing  let- 
ters. The  increase  ii>  six  Conferences,  is,  in  members, 
twenty-one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-four;  in 
preachers  seventy-nine ;  but  of  these  there  are  only 
thirty-three  travelers.  The  Baltimore  Conference  paid 
up  without  any  charitable  dividend. 

A  Woman  Public  Speaker 

May  8.  I  preached  in  Lumberton.  Here  we  have  a 
good  house,  after  forty  years'  labor.  I  dined  wath  Mr. 
P.foore.  His  mother  is  a  public  speaker;  yet  she  attended 
our  Methodist  meeting,  and  told  me  she  found  it  a  bless- 
ing to  her. 

May  18.  Came  to  Richard  Jackson's,  twenty-five 
miles.  I  was  required  to  preach  at  a  minute's  w^arning, 
as  I  found  an  assembly  ready.  It  would  seem  as  if  the 
preachers  think  they  are  committing  sin  if  they  do  not 
appoint  preaching  for  me  every  day,  and  often  twice  a 
day.  Lord,  support  us  in  our  labor,  and  we  will  not 
murmur. 

May  20  (Amenia,  New  York).  W'e  opened  the  New 
York  Conference  in  great  peace  and  good  order.  King 
Gordius  had  well-nigh  been  among  us ;  but  the  knots 
were  untied  peaceably,  and  not  cut  in  rashness.  Sunday 
Bishop  McKendree  preached.  It  appeared  to  me  as  if  a 
ray   of  divine  glory   rested  on  him.     His  subject  w'as. 


658  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1813 

"Great  peace  have  they  which  love  thy  law:  and  nothing 
shall  offend  them."  My  subject  was  Eph.  4.  1-3. 
The  appearance,  manner,  and  preaching  of  Brother 
McKendree  produced  a  very  powerful  effect  on  Joshua 
Marsden,  a  British  missionary,  who  has  been  present 
at  our  Conference. 

Joshua  Marsden  was  a  minister  belonging  to  the  British  Con- 
ference, who  labored  many  years  in  Nova  Scotia.  He  had 
great  admiration  for  Bishop  Asbury,  and  wrote  after  Asbury's 
death  an  appreciation  which  Boehm  regards  as  one  of  the  best 
descriptions  of  the  bishop's  personal  appearance  and  char- 
acter he  had  ever  seen.     Among  other  things  he  said; 

"  In  his  appearance  he  was  a  picture  of  plainness  and  sim- 
plicity, bordering  upon  the  costume  of  the  Friends;  the  reader 
may  figure  to  himself  an  old  man,  spare  and  tall,  but  remark- 
ably clean,  with  a  plain  frock  coat,  drab  or  mixed  waistcoat, 
and  small  clothes  of  the  same  kind,  a  neat  stock,  a  broad- 
brimmed  hat  with  an  uncommon  low  crown,  while  his  white 
locks,  venerable  with  age,  added  a  simplicity  to  his  appearance 
■it  is  not  ea'sy  to  describe;  his  countenance  had  a  cast  of  sever- 
ity, but  this  was  owing  probably  to  his  habitual  gravity  and 
seriousness;  his  look  was  remarkably  penetrating;  in  a  word, 
I  never  recollect  to  have  seen  a  man  of  a  more  venerable  and 
dignified    appearance. 

"  He  looked  into  characters  as  one  looks  into  a  clear  stream, 
in  order  to  -discover  the  bottom ;  yet  he  did  not  use  this  pene- 
tration to  compass  any  unworthy  purposes;  the  policy  of 
knowing  men,  in  order  to  make  the  most  of  them,  was  a  little- 
ness to  which  he  never  stooped.  He  had  only  one  end  in  view, 
and  that  was  worthy  the  dignity  of  an  angel.  Wisdom  is  not 
more  distant  from  folly  than  his  conduct  was  from  anything 
akin  to  trifling.  He  had  his  stated  hours  of  retirement  and 
prayer'  upon  which  he  let  neither  business  nor  company  break 
in.  Prayer  was  the  seasoning  of  all  his  avocations;  he  never 
suffered  the  cloth  to  be  removed  from  the  table  until  he  had 
kneeled  down  to  address  the  Almighty;  it  was  the  preface  to 
all  business,  and  often  the  link  that  connected  opposite  duties, 
and  the  conclusion  of  whatever  he  took  in  hand.  As  a  preacher, 
although  not  an  orator,  he  was  dignified,  eloquent,  and  impres- 
sive: his  sermons  were  the  result  of  good  sense  and  sound 
wisdom,  delivered  with  great  authority  and  gravity,  and  often 
attended  with  a  divine  unction,  which  made  them  refreshing  as 
the  dew  of  heaven.  His  talents  as  a  preacher  were  respectable, 
but  his  chief  excellence  lay  in  governing;  for  this  perhaps  no 
man  was  better  qualified.     He  presided  with  dignity,  modera- 


i8i3]  LIKE  PRIEST,  LIKE  PEOPLE  659 

tion,  and  firmness  over  a  large  body  of  men,  all  of  whom  are  as 
tenacious  of  liberty  and  equal  rights  as  most  men  in  the  world; 
and  yet  each  submitted  to  an  authority  that  grew  out  of  his 
labors,  an  authority  founded  upon  reason,  maintained  with 
inflexible  integrity,  and  exercised  only  for  the  good  of  the 
whole." 

Drowning  of  Robert  Hibbard 

May  26.  I  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  Robert 
Hibbard.  He  was  drowned  in  the  Saint  Lawrence,  on 
his  way  to  his  former  circuit.  Our  Conference  concluded 
in  peace,  and  the  bishops,  upon  reading  the  stations,  gave 
a  valedictory  address,  in  which  our  brethren  were  as- 
sured that  the  plan  of  their  future  labors  was  deliberately 
formed,  with  the  aid  of  the  collected  and  recollected 
v.-isdom  of  judicious  counsel,  and  in  much  prayer.  We 
heard  no  complaint,  and  there  was  no  appeal. 

There  was  a  singular  appropriateness  in  preaching  the  fun- 
eral sermon  of  Robert  Hibbard  here  in  America,  where  he  had 
lived  and  where  he  was  converted.  He  was  admitted  on  trial 
in  1809,  and  the  following  year  offered  himself  as  a  missionary 
for  the  province  of  Lower  Canada.  In  1812,  while  laboring  on 
the  Ottawa  Circuit,  he  learned  that  the  preachers  appointed 
to  the  Saint  Francis  Circuit  had  not  gone  to  their"  station  on 
account  of  the  war,  and  feeling  an  anxious  concern  for  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  that  people,  started  to  pay  them  a  visit. 
On  his  way,  while  attempting  to  cross  the  Saint  Lawrence  some 
distance  below  Montreal,  he  was  drowned. 

June  2  (New  Hampshire).  We  reached  Winchester, 
in  New  Hampshire,  stopping  to  dine  with  the  nice  Web- 
sters,  in  Greenfield.  My  knee  is  swelled  again.  Like 
priest,  like  people,  in  these  parts;  both  judicially  blind. 
We  lodged  two  nights  in  Winchester  with  Caleb  Alex- 
ander, whose  father  I  followed  to  the  grave.  The  dust  I 
visited,  afterward  the  widow,  and  came  away.  This 
town  is  not  reformed  by  Methodist  Conference  or  Meth- 
odist preaching.  We  shall  direct  our  course  straight 
forward  to  New  London,  to  meet  our  Conference  there. 
Studiously  employed,  Thursday,  Friday,  Saturday,  at 
Brother  Marble's. 


66o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1813 

June  6.  I  preached  in  the  morning  and  afternoon 
with  Httle  freedom.  May  we  not  expect  increasing  days 
of  distress?  Methodism  in  the  East  is  as  hkely  to  be 
anything  else  as  that  which  it  ought  to  be,  unless  we 
have  displays  of  the  power  of  God,  and  a  strict  discipline. 

Asbury  Makes  His  Will 

Knowing  the  uncertainty  of  the  tenure  of  life.  I 
have  made  my  will,  appointing  Bishop  AIcKendree, 
Daniel  Hitt,  and  Henry  Boelim  my  executors.  If  I  do 
not  in  the  meantime  spend  it,  I  shall  leave,  when  I  die, 
an  estate  of  $2,000,  I  believe.  I  give  it  all  to  the  Book 
Concern.  This  money,  and  somewhat  more,  I  have  in- 
herited from  dear  departed  Methodist  friends  in  Mary- 
land, who  died  childless ;  besides  some  legacies  which  I 
have  never  taken.  Let  it  all  return,  and  continue  to  aid 
the  cause  of  piety. 

June  13.  We  rose  at  four  o'clock,  to  gain  twelve 
miles  for  Somerset  quarter  meeting.  I  lectured  on  the 
Lord's  Prayer.  Dined  with  Captain  Reed,  and  gave  an 
exhortation  in  the  afternoon.  I  am  told  there  is  a  re- 
vival of  the  work  of  God  here,  and  at  Warren,  and  at 
Bristol.  I  have  difficulties  to  encounter,  but  I  must  be 
silent.  My  mind  is  in  God.  In  New  England  we  sing, 
we  build  houses,  we  eat,  and  stand  at  prayer.  Here 
preachers  locate,  and  people  support  them,  and  have 
traveling  preachers  also.  Were  I  to  labor  forty-two  years 
more,  I  suppose  I  should  not  succeed  in  getting  things 
right.  Preachers  have  been  sent  away  from  Newport  by 
an  apostate ;  so  we  go.  O  rare  steeple-houses,  bells ! 
(organs  by  and  by?) — these  things  are  against  me,  and 
contrary  to  the  simplicity  of  Christ.  We  have  made  a 
stand  in  the  New  England  Conference  against  steeples 
and  pews ;  and  shall  possibly  give  up  the  houses,  unless 
the  pews  are  taken  out,  and  the  houses  made  sure  to  us 
exclusively.    The  Conference  now  pursue  a  course  which 


i8i3]  UNION  AND  SWEETNESS  66i 

will  surely  lead  to  soiiK-thing  decisive ;  we  will  be  flat- 
tered no  longer. 

June  17  (Providence,  Rhode  Island).  An  African 
gave  me  his  hand  in  the  street,  having  seen  me  in  New 
York.  George  Pickering  turned  me  aside,  and  presented 
me  to  the  governor,  Jones,  who  gave  me  his  hand.  We 
were  entertained  splendidly.  "Here  are  grand  buildings, 
but  no  chapel  for  the  Methodists.  We  rode  on  to  Lip- 
pett's  factories.    What  a  population  here  is ! 

June  30  (New  York).  A  long  ride  brought  us  to 
Daniel  Ostrander's,  in  Hollowville.  It  is  surprising  to 
see  the  improvement  of  the  city  of  Hudson  in  twenty 
years.  We  have  spent  about  $10  a  month,  as  road  ex- 
penses. But  where  is  our  clothing  and  our  horses  to 
come  from?  What  have  we  left  for  charity?  It  must 
be  gotten  from  $200  allowed  us  by  the  Conference.  But 
may  we  not  beg?    For  ourselves,  no ! 

July  9  (Westmoreland,  New  York).  We  opened  the 
Genesee  Conference  in  peace  in  our  house,  sixty  by  fifty 
feet,  built  by  the  independents,  and  bought  by  the  Meth- 
odists. We  progressed  two  days  in  much  union  and 
sweetness,  having  one  day  the  presence  and  company  of 
our  Canadian  brethren. 

Sermons  Indoors  and  Otitdoors 

July  ii.  Daniel  Hitt  preached  at  nine  o'clock.  I 
preached  and  ordained  nine  deacons.  Bishop  McKen- 
dree  ordained  six  elders,  and  preached  also.  We  had 
sermons  inside  and  outside  of  the  house,  and  in  the 
woods.  We  probably  had  three  thousand  souls  to  hear. 
Shall  our  labor  all  be  lost?  Tuesday  our  Conference 
adjourned  in  great  peace,  and  all  satisfied  with  their 
stations. 

July  15.  We  had  four  hours'  rain  to  fall  upon  us  in 
our  eight  hours'  ride  to  Brookfield.  Brother  Pierce  was 
sent  in  the  name  of  the  bishops  to  communicate  to  W.  B. 


.  ./     / 


/ 


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'/- 


.'.    ./,.,. 


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■   ,         4  x<»-««/^  ^///t't,^'*  4'/'"'^'*" '-" 


/' 


THE    WILL    OF    FRANCIS   ASBURY.       NO.    I. 


THE    WILL   OF    FRANCIS    ASBURY.       NO.    2. 


664  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1813 

Lacy  what  Conference  had  done  in  his  case,  and  demand 
his  parchment.  The  culprit  refused  to  deHver  up  his 
credentials  in  a  very  peremptory  manner.  After  degrad- 
ing himself,  and  despising  our  authority,  it  is  said  he 
means  to  be  rebaptized. 

Lacy  withdrew  and  joined  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

July  16.  We  called  at  our  Brother  Clark's  house. 
Our  friend  and  his  wife  lay  in  the  same  grave.  We 
talked  and  prayed  with  the  grandmother  and  daughters, 
one  of  whom  is  in  society.  We  have  traveled  some 
rugged  roads  since  we  left  Conference,  and  have  had 
two  hairbreadth  escapes  for  life,  both  horse  and  rider. 
Behold,  Elder  Strait  is  crooked  enough ;  gone  off  with 
things  not  his  own. 

July  19.  It  had  rained  in  the  night.  We  set  out  and 
encountered  the  logs,  stumps,  rocks,  and  torrents,  which 
came  down  upon  us  from  the  hills  above.  We  put  into  a 
house  at  the  Great  Bend,  and  stopped  to  dine.  Here  I 
lectured,  sung,  and  prayed  with  the  poor  infidels  in  the 
house ;  some  stared,  some  smiled,  and  some  wept.  The 
lady  asked  me  to  call  again  as  I  passed.  "Yes,  madam," 
I  replied,  "on  condition  you  wilt  do  two  things — read 
your  Bible  and  betake  yourself  to  prayer." 

July  24.  I  preached,  and  retired  in  a  high  fever  to 
take  medicine,  and  to  blister  my  face.  And  this  is  Briar 
Creek  camp  meeting !  I  am  alive,  however ;  and  some 
of  the  good  folks  of  Philadelphia  and  Jersey  have  said 
they  should  never  see  Francis  again.  In  the  midst  of  all 
our  suflfering  and  disappointment  God  is  with  us. 

In  Stiffering  and  in  Martyrdom 

July  25.  I  must  preach  again.  My  subject  was  Acts 
20.  21 :  I.  The  testimony  of  the  ministry,  in  holiness  of 
life,  unwearied  labor,  in  suffering,  and  in  martyrdom ;  it 
was  the  fidelity  of  this  testifying  which  led  the  first  mar- 


1813]  BORROWS  FIVE  DOLLARS  665 

tyrs  to  the  stake,  and  the  unfaithfuhiess  of  this  testifying 
will  lead  ministers  to  hell ;  2.  Repentance,  of  sinners,  of 
believers,  of  backsliders;  the  difference  in  their  nature; 
3.  Faith  toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  seekers  of  sal- 
vation, of  believers  in  sanctification ;  in  backsliders. 

Time  Works  Changes 

July  26.  We  came  through  the  heat,  twenty-two 
miles,  to  Danville.  The  wife  of  Daniel  Montgomery  is 
my  old  friend  Molly  Wallis.  Yes,  I  saw  her ;  but  ah ! 
how  changed  in  forty-two  years.  Time  has  been  eighty 
years  at  work  upon  her  wrinkled  face.  We  crossed  the 
river  to  Jacob  (lerhart's.  My  company  went  to  bed,  and 
T  sat  up  helping  to  shell  peas.  And  am  I  to  preach  at  six 
o'clock?  But  behold,  the  saddle  horse  broke  away  while 
John  French  was  washing  him,  and  off  he  went  as  if 
Satan  drove  him. 

July  28.  Our  runaway  was  brought  home  yesterday 
at  noon.  We  started  at  six  o'clock,  bending  our  course 
down  the  Reading  turnpike.  We  halted  at  an  inn,  prayed, 
and  kept  forward  to  Shoemaker's,  where  we  prayed  and 
exhorted  in  the  evening. 

July  29.  We  bear  our  trials  patiently.  John  French's 
sick  horse  is  foundered.  Crossed  the  Schuylkill.  We 
asked  for  food,  and  were  told  the  tavern  was  near.  Our 
money  was  scarce ;  we  had  borrowed  five  dollars,  which 
v\  ill  be  barely  enough,  perhaps,  to  bring  us  through  this 
inhospitable  district.  We  bent  our  way  along  the  moun- 
tain, stopping  at  Francis  Zellar's,  where  we  were  partially 
welcome.  He  had  a  son,  a  Lutheran  priest,  who  refused 
to  read  or  pray  in  the  family.  Alas !  so  stupid  and  so 
wicked.  I  would  rather  be  a  slave  in  South  Carolina 
with  the  gospel  and  a  good  master. 

Aug.  2-4.  Busily  employed  in  writing  letters,  read- 
ing, and  in  prayer.  I  addressed  a  valedictory  statement 
of  my  opinion  to  Bishop  McKendree,  on  the  primitive 


666  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1813 

church  government  and  ordination ;  I  shall  leave  it  with 
my  papers. 

Aug.  8.  I  did  not  preach  a  sermon,  yet  I  had  often 
occasion  to  speak.  There  was  singing  and  prayer 
through  the  whole  night ;  possibly  we  slept  three  hours. 
There  were,  I  suppose,  three  thousand  people  on  the 
campground,  most  of  them  tolerably  attentive.  Among 
these  were  some  drunkards,  but  so  deeply  laden  that  they 
could  not  have  done  much  mischief,  had  they  been  so 
disposed.  We  have  gone  forty  miles  out  of  our  way  to 
be  here,  and  to  do  good ;  God  will  bless  this  coming  to- 
gether of  his  humble  worshipers.  Richard  Bassett  and 
wife,  and  Sister  Bruff,  came  forty  miles  to  see  me. 

Rest,  Man  of  God 

Aug.  II.  A  tiresome  ride  brought  us  to  our  home  at 
the  widow  Willis's.  From  the  door  I  saw  the  tomb  of 
dear  Henry  Willis.  Rest,  man  of  God !  Thy  quiet  dust 
is  not  called  to  the  labor  of  riding  five  thousand  miles  in 
eight  months,  to  meet  ten  Conferences  in  a  line  of  sessions 
from  the  District  of  Maine  to  the  banks  of  the  Cayuga, 
to  the  states  of  Ohio,  of  Tennessee,  of  Mississippi,  to 
Cape  Fear,  James  River,  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  and  to 
the  completion  of  the  round.  Thou  wilt  not  plan  and 
labor  the  arrangement  of  the  stations  of  seven  hundred 
preachers ;  thou  wilt  not  attend  camp  meetings,  and  take 
a  daily  part  in  the  general  ministration  of  the  Word ; 
and  often  consume  the  hours  which  ought  to  be  devoted 
to  sleep  in  writing  letters  upon  letters !  Lord,  be  with 
us,  and  help  us  to  fulfill  the  task  given  us  to  perform ! 

Aug.  20.  We  started  for  Ohio,  passing  through  Fred- 
erick and  Middletown,  to  Williamsport.  Called  on 
Father  Everhard,  and  sheltered  under  his  shade  from  the 
excessive  heat.  The  old  saint  has  a  son  and  a  son-in-law, 
local  laborers.  We  have  encouraging  accounts  from  the 
encampment  near  Winchester,  Virginia. 


i8i3]  MIND  AT  PEACE  667 

Sept.  i  (Chillicothc,  Ohio).  We  opened  our  Confer- 
ence— about  thirty  members  present.  On  Saturday  dea- 
cons and  elders  were  ordained.  We  have  had  preaching 
lour  times  in  the  day.  My  mind  is  at  peace,  and  my  body 
at  ease;  glory  l)e  to  thee  ()  my  Creator! 

Sept.  14.  Reached  West  Union,  with  a  swelled  face. 
I  preached  to  the  people  here  for  the  first  time ;  may  it 
not  be  for  the  last  also  ?  I  was  turned  into  another  man, 
the  Spirit  of  God  came  powerfully  upon  me,  and  there 
was  a  deep  feeling  among  the  people.  Wednesday  we 
came  to  Limestone,  where  I  consecrated  our  new  house 
by  bearing  testimony  to  the  truth  of  God,  on  Luke  19.  10. 
]  saw  the  foundation  of  our  new  house  in  Paris  with  the 
more  pleasure  because  of  the  interesting  little  history 
attached  to  it.  An  honest  brother  had  failed  in  business, 
moved  away,  recovered  his  loss,  came  back,  paid  his 
creditors,  and  moved  a  subscription  to  build,  and  is  now 
building  a  Methodist  chapel. 

Bishop  Asbury,  with  much  difficulty  and  under  constant 
weariness  and  pain,  pushed  on  into  Kentucky,  preaching  often 
and  holding  the  Tennessee  Conference,  which  met  at  Reese 
Chapel.  He  had  in  mind  constantly  that  the  end  was  drawing 
near,  and  was  makuig  preparations  for  his  departure  as  the 
following  entry  will  show. 

Valedictory  Address  to  the  Presiding  Elders 

Oct.  29.  On  the  peaceful  banks  of  the  Saluda  I  write 
my  valedictory  address  to  the  presiding  elders.  At 
Staunton  Bridge  we  rest  five  days ;  my  horse  and  his 
master  both  disabled.  I  preached  but  twice.  My  leisure 
has  permitted  me  to  read  Sellon ;  I  hesitate  not  to  recom- 
mend this  work  to  our  Book  Concern.  James,  the  son 
of  John  Douthet,  gave  me  an  interesting  account  of  his 
father :  John  Douthet  was  born  in  Maryland ;  left  his 
native  place  and  settled  on  the  Yadkin ;  became  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  society,  and  was  honored  as  a  class 
leader,    making    his    house    a    house    of    God    for    the 


668  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1813 

assemblies  of  his  brethren.  An  infamous  woman  had 
found  her  way  into  the  society,  and  seduced  Douthet 
away,  and  he  departed  from  his  brethren  and  from  God. 
Some  years  after  this  the  family  removed  to  the  Table 
Mountain,  Pendleton  District:  the  preachers  came  to  the 
house,  the  father  was  reclaimed,  and  his  two  sons,  James 
and  Samuel,  joined  the  Methodists,  and  were  useful  and 
respectable  traveling  preachers,  the  former  laboring 
twelve,  the  latter  seven,  years  in  the  ministry.  But  the 
elder  Douthet  had  a  failing — he  was  fond  of  liquor,  and 
indulged  himself,  and  backslid  a  second  time  ;  retaining, 
nevertheless,  his  character  for  strict  integrity  and  his 
habit  of  private  prayer,  occasionally  hearing  the  gospel. 
Last  summer  he  fell  ill,  and  came  to  lie  down  and  die  at 
his  son  James's ;  here  he  became  a  true  penitent,  was 
blessed  with  justifying  and  sanctifying  grace,  and  slept 
in  peace  in  the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age. 

In  Savannah 

Nov.  21  (Georgia).  I  preached  in  the  new  chapel  at 
James  Mark's,  in  folly  called  "Asbury."  We  have  visited 
about  thirty  families.  A  journey  of  six  days  brought  us 
to  Savannah.  We  were  careful  to  leave  our  testimony 
and  to  pray  with  every  family  where  we  stopped.  Kind 
Widow  Bonnell  sent  her  chaise  after  me.  I  must  change 
my  mode  of  traveling,  I  suppose.  I  preached  twice  in 
the  Wesley  Chapel.  This  is  a  good,  neat  house,  sixty 
feet  by  forty.  Our  chapel  cost  $5,000;  others  would 
have  made  it  cost  twice  as  much,  perhaps. 

Nov.  23.  I  am  again  in  a  chaise ;  James  Russell  in- 
sisted upon  giving  me  an  old  gig  worth  $45.  We  are 
safe  in  Charleston,  visiting  some  families  as  we  came 
along.  We  have  had  cold,  hungry  traveling.  My  mind 
is  holiness  to  the  Lord.  We  found  our  family  here  in 
health. 

Dec.  16  (Charleston,  South  Carolina).     We  attended 


i8i4] 


TIME  IS  SHORT 


669 


the  funeral  of  Dr.  Keith,  suddenly  called  away,  and 
greatly  lamented  by  all,  especially  by  the  people  of  color. 
He  had  been  twenty-six  years  a  minister  of  the  Independ- 
ent Church.  Most  of  the  clergy  of  the  city  were  present, 
and  there  was  great  solemnity  observed.  We  had  no 
gloves  or  scarfs  given  us ;  this  was  well ;  but  I  could  have 
wished  there  had  been  prayer  in  the  house  before  the 
corpse  was  removed.  We  lecture  morning  and  evening. 
We  labor  to  live  in  and  for  God ;  we  desire  to  receive 


THE   OLD    WESLEY    CHAPEL,    SAVANNAH,    GEORGL\. 
Dedicated  by  Bishop  Asbury,  18 13. 


rich  and  poor,  people  antl  ministers,  and  to  consecrate, 
in  the  order  of  faith  and  prayer,  every  room  and  every 
heart  in  the  house  to  God. 

Dec.  30.  At  Rembert's  settlement.  How  my  friends 
remove  or  waste  away !  yet  I  live :  let  me  live  every 
moment  to  God !    Time  is  short. 

Thus  closed  Bishop  Asbury's  last  year  of  unbroken  toil. 
From  this  time  his  labors  are  frequently  interrupted  by  severe 
attacks  of  illness,  which  confined  him  to  his  bed. 

Jan.  I,  1814  (North  Carolina).  On  the  first  day  of 
the  new  year,  18 14,  I  preached  at  Rembert's  Chapel,  and 


670  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1814 

the  following  day  also.  On  Monday  we  came  away,  in 
company  with  Myers  and  Norton,  to  Fayetteville,  one 
hundred  and  forty  miles,  visiting  many  families  in  our 
route,  and  finding  welcome  hospitality  everywhere. 

Coke  Sails  to  the  East  Indies 

Jan.  7.  I  received  seven  letters;  the  contents  of  some 
of  them  make  me  feel  serious.  We  learn  that  Bishop 
Coke,  with  seven  young  preachers,  has  sailed  for  the 
East  Indies.  The  British  Society  is  poor  as  well  as  our- 
selves, it  would  appear ;  this  is  a  good  sign.  In  less  than 
one  hundred  years  Methodism  has  spread  over  three 
quarters  of  the  globe,  and  it  is  now  about  to  carry  the 
gospel  of  salvation  into  Asia.  Amen.  I  am  divinely  im- 
pressed with  a  charge  to  preach  sanctification  in  every 
sermon. 

Jan.  9.  Bishop  McKendree  preached.  I  preached  on 
Isa.  64.  7.  We  had  a  spiritual,  heavenly,  and  united  Con- 
ference. There  were  twenty  deacons  ordained,  eighty- 
five  preachers  stationed ;  twelve  have  located,  and  one 
has  died  suddenly ;  and  fifteen  are  added. 

Jan.  2^.  1  preached  in  our  chapel,  fifty  by  sixty  feet, 
to  a  small  congregation.  Am  I  not  a  child,  to  have  been 
looking  for  summer?  William  Glendenning  and  I  met, 
and  embraced  each  other  in  peace.  I  visited  Sister 
Perry,  the  former  wife  of  John  King,  one  of  the  first 
Methodist  preachers.  After  all  reasonable  allowances  for 
drawbacks,  we  cannot  yet  tell  all  the  good  that  was  done 
by  our  Conference  in  Raleigh,  in  181 1.  We  started  away 
northward.  Not  half  a  mile  from  Samuel  Alston's  we 
got  entangled  in  the  woods.  We  left  the  gig  in  the  woods 
till  morning,  and  found  our  way  by  torchlight  to  the 
house.     I  preached  at  my  kind  host's. 

Feb.  20  (Virginia).  I  am  at  Norfolk.  I  have  had  a 
serious  attack  of  pleuritic  fever,  with  little  intermission 
of  pain  until  the  fifteenth  day.    I  have,  during  this  illness, 


i8i4]  PEACE  RESTORED  671 

been  moving-  aljcnit  among  the  families  of  the  WilHamses, 
the  Harrises,  the  widow  Weaver's,  the  Bennetts,  and  the 
Merediths;  and  ( ).  what  kindness  and  nursing!  I 
preached  at  Henry  Wilhams's,  and  occasionally  else- 
where. 

Mar.  I.  Our  Conference  in  Norfolk  rose.  We  have 
!?een  mighty  in  talk  this  session.  I  dare  not  speak  my 
mind  on  the  state  of  this  place,  its  church  or  its  ministry. 
]  endure  all  things  for  the  elect's  sake,  and  rejoice  that 
peace  is  again  hai)pily  restored  to  the  society.  Shall  we 
not  drop  and  locate  more  laborers  than  we  receive?  We 
had  a  great  many  sermons  preached,  as  usual ;  and  we 
have  reason  to  hope  souls  were  converted.  I  ordained 
deacons,  and  assisted  my  brethren  in  the  ministration  of 
the  \Yord. 

]\Iar.  5.  W^e  reached  Richmond.  Our  journey  hither 
has  been  through  snows  and  excessive  cold ;  I  felt  it 
deeply.  We  were  careful  to  pray  with  the  families  where 
we  stopped,  exhorting  all  professors  to  holiness. 

Asbtiry's  Visits  to  Virginia 

Mar.  8.  A  journey  of  sufifering  by  bad  roads,  and 
exposure  to  excessive  cold,  brought  us  to  Georgetown, 
Maryland.  In  the  year  1774  I  first  visited  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina;  in  the  year  1780  I  repeated  my  visit, 
and  since  that  time,  yearly.  In  the  year  1785  I  first 
visited  South  Carolina  and  Georgia ;  and  to  these  states 
have  since  paid  (except  one  year)  an  annual  visit.  I 
suppose  I  have  crossed  the  Alleghany  Mountains  sixty 
times. 

Mar.  24  (Maryland).  I'.altimore  Conference  hath 
been  sitting  in  great  order  seven  days.  My  strength  and 
labor  was  to  sit  still.  I  was  sick  during  the  whole  session. 
1  preached  in  Oldtown,  and  ordained  nine  deacons.  We 
have  stationed  eighty-six  members.  By  request.  I  dis- 
coursed on  the  character  of  the  angel  of  the  church  of 


672  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1814 

Philadelphia,  in  allusion  to  Philip  Otterbein — the  holy, 
the  great  Otterbein,  whose  funeral  discourse  it  was  in- 
tended to  be.     Solemnity  marked  the  silent  meeting  in 


REV.    PHILIP   OTTERBEIN. 

Asbury's    friend,    who    assisted    at    his    consecration    to    the    general 
superintendency. 

the  German  church,  where  were  assembled  the  members 
of  our  Conference,  and  many  of  the  clergy  of  the  city. 
Forty  years  have  I  known  the  retiring  modesty  of  this 
man   of   God,   towering   majestic   above    his    fellows   in 


i8i4]  OVER  RUDE  MOUNTAINS  673 

learning,  wisdom,  and  grace,  yet  seeking  to  be  known 
only  of  God  and  the  people  of  God.  He  had  been  sixty 
years  a  minister,  fifty  years  a  converted  one.  My  mind 
is  deeply  impressed  with  the  worth  of  souls  and  value 
of  time. 

Ai'R.  3  (Delaware).  I  preached  in  Wilmington. 
Monday  we  had  great  consolation  in  visiting  Mary 
Withey's  children  and  grandchildren.  She,  though  dead, 
is  yet  spoken  of.  One  of  these  last  is  in  society.  Joseph 
Pilraoor  is  yet  alive,  and  preaches  three  times  every 
Sabbath. 

Apr.  10  (Philadelphia).  I  preached  in  the  Academy 
chapel,  and  at  Saint  George's.  Our  Conference  opened 
and  progressed  four  days  in  great  peace  and  gospel  or- 
der. We  doubt  not  but  that  souls  have  been  convinced, 
converted,  comforted,  and  sanctified  by  the  ministry  of 
the  Word.  We  had  crowded  houses,  both  in  the  day  and 
at  night.  The  bishops  wrote  a  serious  letter  to  New 
England,  remonstrating  on  the  neglect  of  family  worship. 

Receives  Kindness  and  Affection  Everywhere 

July  15.  We  should  have  failed  in  our  march  through 
Jersey,  but  we  have  received  great  kindness  and  atten- 
tions, and  have  had  great  accommodations.  I  return  to 
my  Journal  after  an  interval  of  twelve  weeks.  I  have 
been  ill  indeed,  but  medicine,  nursing,  and  kindness, 
under  God,  have  been  so  far  effectual  that  I  have  re- 
covered strength  enough  to  sit  in  my  little  covered 
M^agon,  into  which  they  lift  me.  I  have  clambered  over 
the  rude  mountains,  passing  through  York  and  Cham- 
bersburg  to  Greensburg. 

July  19.  I  would  not  be  loved  to  death,  and  so  came 
down  from  my  sick  room  and  took  to  the  road,  weak 
enough.  Attentions  constant,  and  kindness  unceasing, 
have  pursued  me  to  this  place,  and  my  strength  increases 
daily.     I  look  back  upon  a  martyr's  life  of  toil  and  priva- 


674  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1814 

tion  and  pain,  and  I  am  ready  for  a  martyr's  death.  The 
purity  of  my  intentions,  my  diHgence  in  the  labors  to 
which  God  has  been  pleased  to  call  me,  the  unknown 
sufferings  I  have  endured — what  are  all  these?  The 
merit,  atonement,  and  righteousness  of  Christ  alone  make 
my  plea.  My  friends  in  Philadelphia  gave  me  a  light 
little  four-wheeled  carriage ;  but  God  and  the  Baltimore 
Conference  made  me  a  richer  present ;  they  gave  me  John 
Wesley  Bond  for  a  traveling  companion.  Has  he  his 
equal  on  the  earth  for  excellencies  of  every  kind  as  an 
aid?  I  groan  one  minute  with  pain,  and  shout  glory 
the  next ! 

July  23  (Pittsburg).  We  have  made  three  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  since  we  left  Jersey.  What  roads !  It  was 
the  mercy  of  Providence,  or  we  should  have  been  dashed 
to  pieces.  My  body  is,  nevertheless,  in  better  health  ;  and 
my  mind  and  soul  happy  and  confident  in  God.  Glory, 
glory,  glory  be  to  the  Triune  God ! 

Resetted  from  a  Predicament 

July  25.  We  bent  our  way  down  the  west  side  of  the 
Ohio.  John  Wesley  Bond  preached  to  the  people,  and  I 
added  a  few  feeble  words  of  exhortation.  Having 
foundered  one  of  our  horses  we  bought  a  clever  little 
mare  for  $60.  On  our  way  we  got  fast  in  a  gully :  Mr 
Lyon,  a  merchant  hereabouts,  came  up,  dismounted  in  a 
moment,  and  sprang  to  my  relief,  lifted  me  out  of  the 
carriage,  and  bore  me  up  the  hill.  There  was  something 
peculiarly  engaging  in  this  man's  face,  whole  appearance, 
and  manners. 

July  29.  We  came  to  Thomas  Fawcett's,  fasting. 
"Surely  you  may  stay  a  night,"  it  was  observed.  But  no, 
time  presses ;  though  sick  and  feeble,  we  started  away  at 
three  o'clock.  It  might  not  be:  about  a  hundred  yards 
from  the  house,  crack  went  the  pole.  "It  is  all  for  the 
best,"  said  pious  Gilpin,  when  his  leg  was  broken;  and 


i8i4]  KIND  ATTENTIONS  675 

he  lived  to  prophesy  in  after  times  and  better  days,  while 
the  execrated  Mary,  who  would  have  burned  him  at  the 
stake,  was  moldering  in  the  dust. 

Aug.  14  (Ohio).  At  Zanesville  Brother  Bond 
preached,  and  met  about  fifty  souls  in  class.  I  gave  an 
exhortation ;  it  is  my  first  in  some  time,  and  may  be  my 
valedictory.    We  have  a  well  designed  house  here. 

Aug.  23.  I  preached  in  great  weakness  in  Chillicothe, 
but  my  help  was  with  me.  In  God  will  I  make  my  boast. 
From  the  twenty-fourth  to  the  thirtieth  we  are  at  Sena- 
tor Worthington's.  I  pay  my  mite  of  worship  in  this 
amiable  family  in  great  weakness.  The  kind  attentions  I 
receive  are  greatly  beyond  my  deserts.  Mrs.  Worthing- 
ton  has  taught  her  boys  and  girls,  servants  and  children, 
to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  they  are  well  instructed. 
1  heard  them  more  than  one  lesson  with  much  satisfac- 
tion. O  that  all  mothers  would  do  likewise !  I  presume 
the  worship  of  God  is  kept  up  in  this  house,  though 
neither  of  the  heads  thereof  have  attached  themselves  to 
any  society  of  professing  Christians.  Doubtless  God  will 
bless  them,  and  their  children  after  them.  We,  ever  and 
anon,  halt  and  listen  for  dear  McKendree,  but  as  yet  we 
are  without  tidings.    We  are  anxious  to  see  him. 

Has  a  Hemorrhage 

Sept.  4.  I  made  a  feeble  attempt  at  Lebanon,  on  2  Pet. 
3.  14.  I  also  spoke  last  night.  Tuesday  we  arrived  in 
Cincinnati.  There  is  distress  everywhere,  in  the  church, 
and  abroad  in  the  United  States.  I  have  discharged 
blood  in  coughing. 

Sept.  5.  I  made  an  attempt  to  speak  a  few  words  on 
Phil.  2.  2-5.  We  have  progressed  in  our  Conference 
business  very  well,  although  deprived  of  the  presence  of 
the  bishops  to  preside.  Bishop  McKendree  had  been 
thrown  from  his  horse,  and  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
hip  and  ribs.     John  Sale  presided  with  great  propriety. 


676  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1814 

On  Friday  I  retired  to  bed' with  a  chill  and  fever.  John 
Sale  finished  the  plan  of  the  stations  from  a  general 
draft  I  furnished  him.  We  closed  our  labors  in  peace. 
One  thing  I  remark :  our  Conferences  are  out  of  their 
infancy ;  their  rulers  can  now  be  called  from  among  them- 
selves. The  dividend  of  the  Ohio  Conference  was  $74 
to  the  unmarried,  and  $144  to  the  married  preachers  and 
their  wives.  But  $200  were  drawn  from  the  Book  Con- 
cern, and  $50  of  that  sum  were  returned.  I  have 
preached.  We  lodged  at  William  Lines's.  The  news  has 
reached  us  of  the  descent  of  the  British  in  Maryland,  and 
the  burning  of  the  public  buildings  at  Washington. 

A  Victim  of  an  Indian  Massacre 

Sept.  16  (Kentucky).  To  Aliller's  in  haste.  Satur- 
day we  came  through  Bardstown  to  Elizabethtown, 
Hardin  County ;  so  called  after  my  serious  friend  Colonel 
Hardin.  I  traveled  many  miles  with  Brother  Hardin 
toward  Lexington,  when  he  was  going  up  to  take  his 
command ;  he  was  very  solemn.  A  martyr  to  Indian 
massacre,  I  doubt  not  but  that  he  went  to  glory.  We 
lodged  at  the  house  of  Stephen  Rawlings.  son  of  Stephen, 
formerly  of  Back  Creek,  Virginia;  in  1776  I  preached 
at  his  grandfather's. 

Sept.  25.  I  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  the  wife 
of  Stephen  Rawlings.  Li  this  family  of  Rawlingses  I 
have  officiated  for  three  generations,  and  have  witnessed 
their  profession  of  religion.  May  they  continue  to  be 
in  Christ  to  the  latest  posterity  ! 

Sept.  29.  We  came  upon  the  campground,  where  we 
are  to  hold  our  Conference.  On  Sabbath  I  ordained 
about  twenty  deacons,  and  gave  a  sermon  and  an  exhor- 
tation. We  are  two  hours  in  the  chapel,  four  hours  at 
the  preaching  stand,  and  then  come  home.  We  sit  six 
hours  a  day  in  Conference.  Poor  bishops,  sick,  lame,  and 
in  poverty !     I  had  wished  to  visit  Mississippi,  but  the 


i8i4]  HIGHWAYS  AND  HEDGES  677 

injury  received  l)y  Dislio])  AIcKendree  being  so  great 
lliat  it  is  yet  dcuhlful  wliether  he  will  so  far  recover  as 
to  be  present  at  the  South  Carolina  Conference,  I  must 
decline  going. 

Oct.  6.  We  closed  our  labors  in  great  peace  and  love. 
The  families  have  been  kind  to  us.  but  we  were  much 
crowded.  We  have  lost  members  from  the  society,  and 
gained,  perhaps,  one  ])reacher  in  the  itinerancy  in  two 
years.  The  local  ministry  is  enriched.  May  we  expect 
more  help?  Ah  !  the  labor  is  too  hard,  and  the  wages  too 
low.  We  cannot,  like  the  Quakers,  take  abroad  when  we 
get  tired  of  home,  and  go  feasting  about  from  one  rich 
friend's  table  to  another's,  and  bark  or  be  dumb,  as  the 
fit  may  take  us.  Our  discipline  is  too  strict ;  we  cannot 
leave  four  or  five  thousand  congregations  unsought,  like 
the  Church  of  England,  the  Presbyterians,  Independent, 
and  Baptist  Churches.  Go,  says  the  command;  go  into 
all  the  world,  go  to  the  highway  and  hedges.  Go  out, 
seek  them.  Christ  came  seeking  the  lost  sheep.  "Seek 
me  out,"  says  the  parson ;  "or  advertise  and  offer  a 
church  and  a  good  salary,  and  I  will  seek  you."  And  is 
this  all  these  pretenders  can  do?  If  we  send  but  one 
traveling  preacher  into  a  four  weeks'  circuit,  we  aid  him 
by  the  labor  of  our  local  ministry,  good  men,  and  some 
of  them  great  men. 

The  Freedom  of  Truth 

Oct.  16.  Hearing  there  was  a  Presbyterian  congrega- 
tion, we  asked  to  preach  and  hear ;  we  did  both.  Air. 
Nelson  spoke  first,  and  I  addressed  Methodists  and  oth- 
ers, on  I  John  8.  32 :  "Ye  shall  know  the  truth,  and 
the  truth  shall  make  you  free."  How  to  know  the  truth  ? 
By  continuing  under  gospel  ministry,  and  using  gospel 
means.  "Ye  shall  know  the  truth" — of  the  gospel,  feel- 
ingly, experimentally,  practically;  "Make  you  free" — 
what  the  freedom  wrought  consists  in;  it  is  an  entire 


678  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1814 

deliverance  from  sin,  from  its  guilt,  power,  and  inbeing ; 
a  freedom  embracing  the  privileges  of  pardon,  peace, 
patience,  meekness,  perfect  love,  joy  on  earth,  and  ever- 
lasting glory  in  heaven.  We  hasted  away,  after  meeting, 
to  William  Cunningham's. 

Oct.  18  (South  Carolina).  Our  ride  brought  us  to 
Jarratt's,  on  Pigeon  River.  O  my  excellent  son,  John 
Bond !  A  tree  had  fallen  across  our  way — what  was  to 
be  done?  Brother  Bond  sprung  to  the  ax  fastened  under 
our  carriage,  mounted  upon  the  large  limbs,  hewing  and 
hacking,  stroke  after  stroke,  without  intermission,  until 
he  had  cut  away  five  of  them,  hauling  them  on  one  side 
as  he  severed  them,  so  that  we  passed  without  difficulty. 
Is  there  his  equal  to  be  found  in  the  United  States?  He 
drives  me  along  with  the  utmost  care  and  tenderness,  he 
fills  my  appointments  by  preaching  for  me  when  I  am 
disabled,  he  watches  over  me  at  night  after  the  fatigue 
of  driving  all  day,  and  if,  when  he  is  in  bed  and  asleep,  I 
call,  he  is  awake  and  up  in  the  instant  to  give  me  medi- 
cine, or  to  perform  any  other  services  his  sick  father  may 
require  of  him ;  and  this  is  done  so  readily,  and  with  so 
much  patience,  when  my  constant  infirmities  and  ill 
health  require  so  many  and  oft-repeated  attentions ! 

Asbtiry's  Mite  Sabscription 

Oct.  25.  I  preached  in  the  house  of  Benjamin  Bird; 
there  was  much  feeling  manifested.  We  collected  liber- 
ally on  the  mite  subscription  to  help  the  suffering 
ministry. 

The  original  list  is  in  the  possession  of  Drew  Theological 
Seminary,  Madison,  New  Jersey. 

I  had  for  twenty  years  past  wished  to  visit  the  Cove ; 
it  is  done,  and  I  have  seen  my  old,  tried  friends,  dear 
Richard  and  Jonah  Bird,  and  William  Fulwood,  who 
sheltered  rne  when,  during  the  War  of  Independence,  I 
had  to  retire  to  the  swamps  and  thickets  for  safety. 


i8i4j  THE  CEASELESS  ROUND  679 

Oct.  27.  I  preached  in  the  evening  at  Daniel  Asbury's, 
Lincohi  County,  near  Sherwell's  Ford.  These  are  kind 
spirits,  who  say,  "You  make  your  rides  too  long" ;  yet 
they  will  scarcely  be  denied  when  invited  to  their  houses, 
making  my  rides  longer  still.  Mere  am  I,  ten  miles  out 
of  my  way,  to  see  these  dear  people.  And  now  that 
limbs,  lungs,  strength,  and  teeth  fail,  I  must  still  go  my 
round  of  six  thousand  miles  within  the  year. 

A  Restless,  Feverish  Night 

Oct.  30.  I  passed  a  restless,  feverish  night;  yet.  as  I 
was  expected  to  preach  on  the  campground,  I  discoursed 
to  a  large,  simple-hearted  congregation,  on  Acts  20. 
Tz.  I  sat  in  the  end  of  my  little  Jersey  wagon,  screened 
by  the  drawn  curtain  behind  me. 

Nov.  3.  Crossed  the  north  fork  of  Catawba  to  Be- 
thesda  Chapel ;  the  day  was  damp,  and  there  was  a  damp 
upon  preacher  and  people.  We  went  forward  to  John 
Dameron's,  where  I  was  expected  to  preach,  and  I  did 
try,  but  the  people  were  so  wonderfully  taken  up  with 
the  novel  sight  of  the  little  carriage,  and  still  more  of 
the  strange-looking  old  man  who  was  addressing  them, 
that  the  speaker  made  little  impression  on  his  hearers. 

Nov.  20.  Bishop  McKendree  preached,  and  J.  W. 
Bond.  I  spoke  a  few  words  from  my  carriage ;  we  hope 
the  testimony  of  three  men  will  be  believed.  God  is  with 
me  in  all  my  feebleness.  We  have  visited  North  Carolina 
to  Catawba,  South  Carolina ;  and  Fairfield,  Newberry, 
Laurens,  and  Greenville  Districts. 

Nov.  25.  Rode  twenty-five  miles  to  Widow  King's, 
Pendleton  District.  I  am  reading  Saurin's  fifth  volume. 
He  is  great  in  his  way,  but  it  is  not  Wesley's  way,  which 
I  take  to  be  the  more  excellent  way. 

The  great  French  preacher,  James  Saurin,  whose  "Sermons" 
were  pubhshed  in  eight  volumes. 

Dec.    II    (Georgia).     Came  to  Athens,  accompanied 


68o  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

by  Hope  Hull.  Preached  in  the  college  chapel.  The 
people  were  ver}^  attentive  in  that  open  penance  house. 
The  state  of  things  is  strangely  changed  since  Dr.  Brown 
has  had  the  presidency.  He  is  a  man  of  piety  and  order, 
and  will  render  unto  all  their  due.  ^londay,  to  Joseph 
Floyd's,  on  Appalachee.  The  lands  here  are  good ;  but 
the  price  paid  for  quiet  possession  has  been  great — sick- 
ness, death,  and  murders  by  Indians. 

Every  Post  a  Messenger  of  Serioos  Tidings 

Dec.  18.  Every  post  almost  is  a  messenger  of  the 
tidings  which  ought  to  make  me  serious.  Jokn  Mc- 
Claskey  is  no  more.  He  was  a  native  of  Londonderry, 
Ireland,  a  man  of  strong  mind,  a  plain,  but  useful 
preacher,  and  labored  with  us  about  thirty  years. 
Mother  Kent  is  dead,  forty  years  a  subject  of  grace.  My 
aged  friends,  Henry  and  Kezia  Moss,  have  gone  to  their 
reward,  but  they  leave  me  their  daughter  Freeman  to 
receive  me.  I  trust  she  will  fill  her  parents'  place  here, 
and  follow  them  as  they  followed  Christ.  Henry  Boehm 
sends  me  great  accounts  of  the  w^ork  of  God  at  camp 
meetings. 

Dec.  21.  Our  Conference  began  and  continued  until 
the  twenty-seventh.  There  were  nearly  one  hundred 
characters  examined  and  six  admitted  upon  trial.  Twelve 
are  located.  Ten  elders  have  been  ordained,  and  twenty- 
two  deacons ;  eighty-two  preachers  have  been  stationed ; 
none  are  dead,  and  none  have  been  expelled.  I  preached 
at  the  ordinations,  but  with  so  feeble  a  voice  that  many 
did  not  hear;  I  had  coughed  much,  and  expectorated 
blood.  We  had  great  peace,  union,  and  love,  in  our 
sessions. 

Jan.  I,  181 5.  I  preached  at  Saterman's  house.  Mon- 
day, dined  at  McCleary's,  and  came  on  to  Ubank's. 
Tuesday,  to  Button's.  O  that  God  may  bless  my  last 
labors  in  this  family !     Wednesday,  to  Koger's.     Thurs- 


i8i5]  STRIFE  AND  BITTERNESS  68i 

day.  to  Captain  Perry's.  Friday,  we  liad  a  cold,  hungry 
ride  of  thirty-six  miles.  Saturday,  busy  writing.  The 
care  of  the  societies  comes  with  weight  upon  my  mind. 
Here  are  liberal  souls  at  home  and  abroad ;  we  have 
added  nearly  $200  to  our  mite  subscription. 

Jan.  2"]  (North  Carolina).  Dined  at  Hatch's,  our  re- 
ception kind;  and  our  host  is  in  bed  with  a  leg  broken. 
We  reached  Newbern  in  the  evening.  Here  is  weeping 
and  lamentations  for  poor  me ;  the  leading  characters  of 
the  society  cannot  speak  to  each  other,  or  of  each  other, 
without  bringing  heavy  accusations,  yet  all  very  glad  to 
see  the  bishop. 

Jan.  28.  My  trust  is  in  a  faithful  God,  he  hath  never 
deceived  me  nor  forsaken  me.  I  am  scarcely  an  hour 
free  from  pain,  and  all  that  I  do  is  in  the  strength  of 
Jesus. 

Jan.  31.  A  heavy  storm  took  us  at  Greenville.  We 
put  the  remains  of  a  poor,  pious  slave  in  the  ground  who 
had  reached  one  hundred  years. 

Feb.  I.  We  came  twenty-two  miles;  I  was  nearly 
done.  Had  we  followed  our  first  plan,  and  gone  by 
Norfolk,  it  would  have  probably  cost  me  my  life.  It  was 
time  to  lower  our  sails  and  drop  anchor  at  Edward 
Hall's,  near  Tarboro.  It  is  a  paradise  regained  for  a 
few  days.  The  weather  has  been  excessively  cold,  and 
keenly  felt  by  an  old  man  of  seventy,  deeply  wounded  in 
the  limbs,  breast,  and  lungs. 

Gathering  of  Serious  People 

Fer.  5.  I  spoke  to  a  gathering  of  serious  people  in 
Edward  Hall's  large  dining  room.  The  speaker  was  led 
to  some  awful  truths.  I  am  occupied  in  reading,  writing, 
and  patching  and  propping  up  the  old  clay  house  as  well 
as  I  may.    God  be  gracious  to  us  still ! 

Feb.  II  (Virginia).  We  are  at  ]\Iatthew  ]\Iyrick's. 
Virginia,  to  rest  the  horses,  not  ourselves.    The  alarms  of 


682  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

the  wasting  sickness  are  very  serious.     I  wrote  an  epistle 
to  Norfolk,  and  another  to  Suffolk. 

Edward  Dromgoole 

Feb.  12.  I  preached  in  Dromgoole's  house.  Dr.  Sim- 
mons kindly  officiated  and  drew  two  ounces  of  blood 
from  my  arm.  I  ordained  Edward  Dromgoole  an  elder 
in  the  church  of  God.  He  was  born  in  Sligo;  joined  the 
Methodists  in  1770;  began  to  exhort  in  1774;  traveled  in 
America  from  1774  until  1785.  Since  then  has  been  a 
faithful  local  preacher,  respected  and  beloved.  He  has 
six  children,  two  of  whom,  Edward  and  Thomas,  are 
local  deacons. 

Feb.  14.  A  great  storm  of  snow  blew  for  eight  miles 
in  our  eyes  on  our  way  to  S.  Holmes's.  I  saw  Francis 
Hill  once  more.  Thirty  years  has  he  been  a  backslider 
from  God.  May  he  be  speedily  restored !  Sister  Gregg 
is  sick,  and  Sister  Holmes  near  the  last  great  change. 
To  Osborne's  we  went  forward  twelve  miles.  We  have 
seen  some  of  our  early  acquaintances  once  more. 

Feb.  15.  To  Fennell's,  forty  miles.  Behold,  we  have 
a  daughter  a  disciple,  in  the  ancient  house  of  Bedford. 
The  kindness  shown  to  God's  people  he  hath  repaid.  To 
Father  Jude's  on  Thursday,  where  I  was  willing  to  rest, 
for  I  felt  very  ill. 

Feb.  19  (Lynchburg).  I  preached  in  the  new,  neat 
brick  chapel,  forty  feet  by  fifty.  Monday  and  Tuesday 
we  progressed  well  in  our  business.  Dr.  Jennings 
preached  us  a  great  sermon  on,  'T  am  the  vine,"  etc. 

Feb.  24.  We  ordained  elders,  and  I  tried  to  speak  on 
Phil.  2.  19-22.  I  failed;  I  have  been  almost  strangled 
with  an  asthmatic  cough,  and  vomiting  of  blood. 

A  New  Treaty  of  Peace 

Feb.  26.  I  keep  the  house,  and  busy  myself  to  or- 
ganize the  stations.    Thanks  to  the  God  of  peace !,    We 


1815]  GOOD  FRIDAY  FAST  683 

are  confirmed  in  the  belief  that  a  treaty  has  been  made 
between  tlie  I'nited  States  and  Great  Uritain.  We  have 
ordained  twenty  deacons  and  eight  elders.  Is  there  not 
a  declination  in  gifts  as  well  as  members?  We  settled  at 
$71  each  man. 

Mar.  6.  To  Henry  Fry's.  I  have  passed  a  painful 
night,  the  last  in  this  house,  perhaps.  Tuesday,  to  Cul- 
peper.  Would  I  not  stay  and  preach  to  them  ?  O,  that 
I  were  able !  To  will  is  always  present  with  me.  We 
went  forward  to  Rix's.  This  was  a  gentleman  who  kept 
private  accommodations,  the  law  being  against  private 
entertainment.  His  bill,  in  the  morning,  amounted  to 
five  dollars,  save  two  shillings. 

]\Iar.  12  (Maryland).  In  the  chapel  I  lectured  on  a 
chapter  of  Hosea.  My  mind,  perhaps,  partakes  of  the 
weakness  of  my  body ;  I  let  fly  a  few  scattering  shot ;  I 
keep  up  a  kind  of  running  fire  with  my  small-gun  ser- 
monizing. Our  ranks  are  thinned,  if  one  hundred  have 
died  in  the  Lancaster,  Virginia,  Circuit.  I  behold  the 
ruins  of  the  Capitol  and  the  President's  house ;  the  navy 
yard  we  burned  ourselves.    O,  war !  war  ! 

Many  Inqtiiring  Friends 

Mar.  13.  A  cold  ride  brought  us  to  Elk  Ridge.  Our 
old  friend.  Widow  Honor  Dorsey,  gave  us  a  shelter  and 
a  welcome.  Tuesday,  came  in  to  Baltimore.  My  kind, 
inquiring  friends  are  coming  in  from  morning  till  night. 
1  am  with  my  old  friend  the  widow  Dickins. 

Mar.  18.  I  preached  at  the  Point.  Our  Conference 
began  on  Monday,  and  prudence  restrained  me  to  one 
session  per  day ;  perhaps  I  did  not  speak  officially  six 
times  during  the  continuance  of  Conference.  When  it 
was  understood  that  the  ancient  superintendent  did  not 
attend  in  the  afternoon,  the  visits  to  him  were  renewed. 
Stationing  about  eighty-five  preachers  we  found  to  be 
no   small   work.     Friday,  we  ordained   the   deacons   in 


684  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

Light  Street  Church.  Being  Good  Friday,  a  fast  was 
appointed,  and  I  spoke  a  few  words  on  the  sufiferings 
of  Christ. 

Mar.  26.  At  Eutaw  Chapel  I  spoke  upon  the  apostoHc 
order  of  things.  Monday  Conference  rose.  Tuesday  I 
retired  to  Perry  Hall.  The  stormy,  damp  weather  is 
hard  upon  me,  but  I  abound  here  in  comforts  above 
millions :  Lord,  make  me  grateful  and  humble !  What 
a  preacher  and  writer  was  Samuel  Davies !  His  sermons 
are  very  Methodistical.  We  have  sent  Samuel  Mont- 
gomery to  Montreal,  and  Samuel  Burgess  to  Chenango 
District.    They  have  had  our  counsel  and  our  prayers. 

Farewell  Exhortation  at  Fork  Chapel 

Apr.  2.  In  great  weakness,  I  gave  my  farewell  ex- 
hortation at  the  Fork  chapel.  Came  back  to  Perry  Hall. 
All  here  is  solitary  to  me  ! 

Apr.  3.  At  Havre  de  Grace  I  see  the  fourth  genera- 
tion of  the  Jarratts ;  but  some  are  still  out  of  Christ.  At 
Northeast  Chapel  I  gave  them  a  farewell  discourse.  I 
passed  a  restless  night.  O,  the  kindness  of  the  people  to 
a  poor  sinner  saved  by  grace  alone !  We  must  attend 
to  our  appointments,  though  we  should  speak  but  little, 
for  the  people  wish  to  see  us.  We  have  lived  and 
labored  so  long  that  we  have  become  a  spectacle  to  men. 
This  place,  Elkton,  has  been  founded  about  fifty  years ; 
it  may  be  visited  of  the  Lord  in  the  fourth  or  fifth  genera- 
tion. The  speaker  remembered  that  although  the  British 
were  all  around  them  they  escaped  a  visit.  In  great 
weakness  of  body  we  came  on  to  the  comfortable  retreat 
of  Nicholas  Chambers. 

Apr.  6.  Stopped  at  Bethel,  spoke  a  little  and  prayed. 
We  dropped  anchor  at  Richard  Bassett's  until  better 
weather.  Saturday  I  sent  forward  John  Smith  to  fill  my 
appointment.  My  unpleasant  cough  still  cleaves  to  me. 
Bohemia   Manor   was   formerlv   the   field   in   which   the 


1815]  WESLEYAN  METHODISTS  685 

W'hiteficld  Methodists,  called  Xew  Lii^hts,  labored  with 
success;  the  \\'esle}an  Meth<j(lists  are  heirs  to  these,  ac- 
cording to  the  gospel. 

Apr.  9.  We  would  have  attended  meeting  to-day,  but 
we  wished  not  to  ride  fourteen  miles.  We  called  a 
meeting  at  Richard  IJassett's,  and  took  occasion  to  speak 
of  the  work  of  God  in  the  days  of  the  New  Lights,  sixty 
years  past. 

Apr.  II  (Delaware).  At  Dover  my  dear  friends  who 
had  not  seen  me  for  one  and  two  years  visited  me,  and 
led  me  into  conversation  the  wdiole  afternoon.  It  is  hard, 
think  they,  that  we  cannot  see  him ;  so  it  might  be  thought 
in  every  place  ;  but  do  they  always  remember  the  hardship 
they  impose  on  me  ?    So  we  go. 

Apr.  12.  Wq  came  to  Camden,  the  first  upon  the  line 
of  my  appointments.  I  spoke  a  few  words,  and  came  to 
James's,  son  of  David  Owens,  my  old  disciple.  We 
called  on  James  Bateman  as  we  came  along. 

Apr.  13.  I  preached  once  more  at  Johnstown.  The 
day  had  been  set  apart  for  a  general  thanksgiving  for 
peace,  and  I  remembered  it  in  the  pulpit.  We  dined  with 
P.  Wells,  and  rode  back  to  Milford.  Dust,  fever,  and 
too  much  company,  these  are  my  trials ;  peace,  and  per- 
fect love,  these  are  my  consolations. 

Preaches  Once  More  at  Barratt^s  Chapel 

Apr.  14.  I  preached,  and  hastened  to  Frederica,  lodg- 
ing with  Andrew  Dill.  Here  we  saw  dear  Dr.  Edward 
White,  who  hath  known  and  followed  Methodists  since 
1778.  I  preached  at  Barratt's  Chapel,  in  great  feebleness 
of  body.  I  must  needs  dine  with  Judge  Andrew  Barratt, 
"for,"  said  he,  'T  know  that  my  father  and  mother 
thought  more  of  you  than  of  any  man  upon  the  earth ; 
and  well  does  it  become  their  son  to  respect  you." 

Apr.  23  (Pennsylvania).  Instead  of  filling  an  appoint- 
ment I  was  taken  with  a  chill,  followed  bv  high  fever. 


686  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

I  have  groaned  away  the  whole  week.  I  was  lodged 
beyond  the  first  gate,  and  few  knew  where  1  was ;  atten- 
tions overcome  me. 

Apr.  28.  Feeling  no  fever,  I  ventnred  to  whisper  a 
few  words.  Perhaps  I  shall  be  able  to  say  something  in 
the  new  chapel  in  Tenth  Street,  Philadelphia. 

Apr.  30.  At  three  o'clock  I  preached  in  the  chapel  in 
Tenth  Street.  What  a  noble  building!  Monday,  Tues- 
day, Wednesday,  resting  at  Thomas  Raskin's.  Thurs- 
day, at  Trenton. 

May  5  (New  Jersey).  We  came  through  bad  roads 
thirty-seven  miles,  to  Mr.  Baker's  tavern,  wearied  down. 
Our  host  was  very  attentive,  and  we  had  prayer  in  course. 
Saturday,  called  upon  Thomas  Morrell.  Had  an  inter- 
view with  Mr.  McDowell,  the  stationed  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  congregation  in  Elizabethtown.  He  is 
modest  and  pious.  O,  for  such  men  in  all  Protestant 
churches !  We  drove  up  to  George  Suckley's,  Green- 
wich.   The  weather  is  most  distressing  to  my  feelings. 

Something  Between  Talking  and  Preaching 

May  14  (New  York).  I  attended  the  North  church, 
and  gave  a  discourse  ;  it  was  something  between  talking 
and  preaching. 

May  15.  To  Croton,  forty  miles.  The  dear  aged  man, 
Governor  Van  Cortlandt,  has  gone  to  his  rest,  having 
attained  to  ninety  years,  and  upward. 

The  name  of  Governor  Van  Cortlandt  occurs  often  in  As- 
bury's  Journal.  He  was  a  hearty  Methodist,  very  rich,  in- 
heriting much  of  the  old  Cortlandt  manor,  and  lived  in  a 
spacious  mansion  near  the  mouth  of  the  Croton  River.  It  was 
the  home  of  many  of  the  primitive  itinerants  besides  Bishop 
Asbury,  and  had  entertained  Washington,  Lafayette,  Frank- 
lin, and  Whitefield;  the  latter  had  preached  from  its  portico 
to  vast  throngs.  The  governor's  influence  was  an  important 
aid  to  Methodism.  He  was  the  first  lieutenant-governor  of 
the  state,  was  eighteen  times  elected  to  the  office,  and  was 
president  of  the  convention  which  formed  the  state  consti- 
tution. 


1815]  DEATH  OF  COKE  687 

May  21  (Alhaii}-,  Xew  York).  By  vote  of  Confer- 
ence, I  preaclud  the  fnneral  sermon  for  Dr.  Coke,  of 
blessed  mind  and  soul,  of  the  third  branch  of  Oxonian 
Methodists,  a  gentleman,  a  scholar,  and  a  bishop  to  ns ; 
and  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  in  zeal,  in  labors,  and  in 
services,  the  greatest  man  in  the  last  century.  Poor 
wheezing,  groaning,  coughing  TVancis  visited  the  Con- 
ference chamber  on  Tuesday  and  Thursday.  Although 
confined  to  my  room,  I  was  not  prevented  from  entering 
deeply  into  the  consideration  of  the  plan  of  the  stations. 
The  elders  thought  I  came  out  well.  Alas !  what  miseries 
and  distresses  are  here.  How  shall  we  meet  the  charge 
of  seventy  married  out  of  ninety-five  preachers — chil- 
dren, sick  wives,  and  the  claims  of  Conference?  We 
are  deficient  in  dollars  and  discipline. 

Bishop  Coke  died  suddenly  at  sea  in  May,  1S14,  while  on  his 
way  to  establish  a  mission  in  India,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Indian  Ocean.  The  news  of  the  tragic  ending  of  this  great 
man  had  but  recently  reached  America.  Bishop  Coke  was  "a 
leading  agency  in  the  greatest  facts  of  Methodism,"  and  "must 
be  recognized  as  one  of  the  chief  representative  men  of  modern 
religious  history." 

May  26.  We  closed  our  labors  in  great  peace  and 
union.  Saturday  we  rode  out  of  Albany  to  Brother 
Spicer's,  New  Canaan.  The  bishops  here  saw  eye  to 
eye,  with  hearts  and  souls  in  perfect  union. 

May  29  (Massachusetts).  Came  away  through  Leb- 
anon to  Pittsfield.  Elder  Case  came  up  to  go  with  the 
bishop  ninety  or  a  hundred  miles  to  Unity,  the  seat  of 
the  Xew  England  Conference.  The  providence  was 
plain ;  we  must  part.  Came  to  Chester,  thirty-six  miles. 
The  work  demands  my  constant  thought. 

May  30.  To  Westfield,  and  continued  on  nineteen 
miles  farther.  In  Wilbraham  they  think  they  have  had  a 
very  general  work  of  God,  and  an  increase  of  the  society. 

June  3.  I  am  patiently  sufifering  affliction  in  Boston. 
The  next  day  John  W^esley  Bond  attended  all  day  at  the 


688  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

chapel.     I  preached  hi  the  evening  in  weakness  and  in 
much  trembhng.  ' 

June  7.  At  Unity  poor  Francis  was  shut  up  alone, 
as  at  Albany.  George  Pickering  presided  over  Confer- 
ence. Our  business  progressed  well.  I  ordained  twelve 
deacons  and  twelve  elders.  Thursday,  rain  and  snow. 
We  made  about  twenty-nine  miles  this  day.  The  taverns 
in  New  England  are  good,  good  attention  and  moderate 
charges.  Friday  I  came  very  sick  to  B.  Pawlett's.  Sat- 
urday, to  Cambridge.  I  must  reduce  my  projected  tour 
of  sixteen  hundred  miles  to  a  straight  ride  of  three 
hundred  and  eighty  miles  to  New  York,  and  thence 
through  Philadelphia  to  Little  York  and  my  son  Francis 
Hollingsworth.  As  I  passed  through  Ashgrove  I 
preached  in  the  chapel.  Monday,  to  Pittsfield.  Here  we 
have  given  up  weekly  preaching  for  two  sermons  a  day 
every  other  week.  Tuesday,  to  Troy ;  Wednesday,  to 
Judge  Van  Ness's ;  Thursday,  to  Freeborn  Garrettson's. 

Very  Feeble 

June  ii.  I  preached  for  them;  very  feeble.  Wednes- 
day we  started  away  for  Poughkeepsie,  lodging  in  a, 
tavern.  Thursday  we  had  a  heavy  ride  over  Peekskill 
Mountains.  At  the  landing  I  providentially  called  upon 
a  brother  who  had  been  offended,  and  had  withdrawn 
himself  from  us  ;  I  seriously  set  life  and  death  before 
him  in  a  spirit  of  love  and  pity. 

June  18  (New  York).  Attended  at  Fourth  Street 
Chapel,  my  subject,  Zeph.  i.  12.  Time  was  when  I  could 
have  preached  upon  this  text. 

June  20.  I  spoke  a  few  words  at  the  African  chapel, 
both  colors  being  present.  We  hasted  to  Elizabeth  that 
evening.  Thursday,  to  Burlington ;  Friday,  to  Phila- 
delphia. 

July  4.  Happy  at  Mother  Boehm's.  A  pleasing  prov- 
idence, according  to  my  wishes,  had  brought  Henry  in  a 


iSisJ  IMPORTANCE  OF  JOURNAL  689 

few  minutes  before  us.  Ah,  the  changes  we  witness ! 
My  long-loved  friend,  Judge  Bassett,  some  time  past  a 
paralytic,  is  lately  restricken  on  the  other  side,  and  suf- 
fers much  in  his  helpless  state. 

At  Work  on  His  Jotirnal 

July  6.  We  came  to  son  Francis  Hollingsworth's, 
Little  York.  My  kind  countrywoman  gave  me  up  her 
own  room.  I  tried  to  preach,  but  wanted  strength.  My 
audience  was  partly  composed  of  the  respectables  of  the 
borough,  who  were  no  doubt  disappointed.  I  sit  seven 
hours  a  day,  looking  over  and  hearing  read  my  tran- 
scribed Journal.  We  have  examined  and -approved  up  to 
1807.  As  a  record  of  the  early  history  of  Methodism  in 
America,  my  Journal  will  be  of  use;  and  accompanied  by 
the  Minutes  of  the  Conference,  will  tell  all  that  will  be 
necessary  to  know.  I  have  buried  in  shades  all  that  will 
be  proper  to  forget,  in  which  I  am  personally  concerned. 
If  truth  and  I  have  been  wronged,  we  have  both  wit- 
nessed our  day  of  triumph. 

July  10.  Came  to  Shippensburg.  My  health  is  better 
this  hot  weather  and  rough  ride.  O,  how  deeply  my  soul 
feels  for  ours  and  all  churches,  for  ours  and  all  ministers  ! 
I  smite  wath  my  hands,  and  would  lift  up  my  voice  like 
a  trumpet.  Is  there  not  a  cause  ?  We  lodge  with  Deacon 
John  Davis ;  this  brother  hath  been  with  us  in  single  life ; 
now  he  hath  five  sons  and  a  daughter ;  his  eldest,  Samuel, 
is  given  to  God  in  the  ministry,  and  travels.  The  old 
man's  heart  is  still  in  the  work. 

July  12.  We  came  over  the  third  mountain  to  James 
Hunter's.  My  health  is  much  better,  and  I  have  lately 
written  more  than  I  had  for  weeks.  We  are  later  in 
this  neighborhood  than  last  year;  so  also  is  the  harvest. 
O,  what  abundance  in  our  houses,  our  barns,  and  in  our 
fields !  For  peace,  liberty,  and  plenty,  O,  to  grace  and  to 
God,  what  debtors !    What  man  can  live  to  himself  amid 


690 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1815 


the  evidences  of  heavenly,  and  the  enjoyments  of  social, 
goodness?     We  could  not  work  ourselves,  but  we  lent 


PORTRAIT    OF    ASBURW 
From  the  "Methodist  Magazine,"  London,  i8og. 

our    horses    to    help    to    haul    in    the     rich,    glorious 
harvest. 

July  15.     My  meditations  lead  me  to  make  some  ob- 


i8i5]  THE  ONLY  FOUNDATION  691 

servations  on  Col.  i.  26-28.  Colosse  was  a  city  of 
Phrvi^ia,  near  to  Laodicea.  I'aul  had  not  then  visited 
this  cluirch,  yet  in  apostoHc  power  and  authority  he  wrote 
them  the  epistle.  And  for  what  ])urpose?  To  teach  and 
to  exhort.  Why,  then,  not  preach  as  well  as  write  to 
churches,  in  all  parts,  and  in  any  part  of  the  world,  since 
the  end  of  jjreaching  is  instruction  and  exhortation?  O, 
say  the  Baptists,  this  is  my  church.  O,  this  is  my  con- 
gregation, says  the  stationed  minister.  And  must  no 
other  minister  preach  to  these  souls?  No,  says  sectarian 
prejudice;  no,  says  bigoted  pride;  no,  says  the  wool- 
shepherd,  who  is  afraid  his  flock  may  become  too  wise  for 
him.  "The  mystery  which  hath  been  hid  from  ages  and 
from  generations:"  The  mystery  of  God  the  Eternal  Son, 
hid  till  the  expiration  of  four  thousand  years,  from  ages 
and  from  generations ;  yet  not  hid  from  the  obedient ; 
not  hid  from  Abel  in  the  bleeding  lamb,  from  Enoch, 
from  Noah,  nor  from  Abraham ;  not  hid  from  the 
Israelites,  but  typically  shown  in  the  passover,  the  ser- 
pent in  the  wilderness,  the  release  of  captives  and  debtors 
on  the  death  of  the  high  priest ;  not  hid  from  Job,  from 
David,  nor  from  Isaiah,  who  had  a  fuller  manifestation 
of  the  glories  of  that  day,  whose  coming  in  the  order  of 
time  should  thereafter  be  fixed  by  Daniel.  "But  now  is 
made  manifest  to  his  saints ;"'  the  Holy  Ghost  carrying 
to  the  soul  the  conviction  of  the  truth,  begetting  in  obe- 
dient, gracious  souls  this  "hope  of  glory."  "Christ 
formed  within  them  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  this  mys- 
tery," the  only  foundation  of  the  hope  of  everlasting 
glory,  the  first  moving  cause  in  grace,  and  the  meritorious 
cause ;  "Warning,"  or  admonishing,  "every  man,"  and 
"teaching  every  man,"  according  to  the  universal  com- 
mission in  the  gospel ;  "In  all  wisdom" :  but  those  who 
have  been  taught,  and  are  negligent  in  "teaching"  and 
giving  this  "warning,"  O,  pity,  pity,  pity  that  there  are 
such !    Do  you  work  faithfully  ?    Continue  to  do  it  in  the 


692  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

name  and  by  the  authority  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Spirit ;  tell  this  rebellious  generation  they  are  already 
condemned,  and  will  be  shortly  damned ;  preach  to  them 
like  Moses  from  Mount  Sinai  and  Ebal ;  like  David,  "The 
wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell,  and  all  the  nations  that 
forget  God" ;  like  Isaiah,  "Who  among  us  shall  dwell 
with  the  devouring  fire?  who  among  us  shall  dwell  with 
everlasting  burnings?"  like  Ezekiel,  "O  wicked  man,  thou 
shalt  surely  die !"  Pronounce  the  eight  woes  uttered  by 
the  Son  of  God  near  the  close  of  his  ministry,  and  ask 
with  him,  "Ye  serpents,  ye  generation  of  vipers,  how  can 
ye  escape  the  damnation  of  hell?"  Preach  as  if  you  had 
seen  heaven  and  its  celestial  inhabitants,  and  had  hovered 
over  the  bottomless  pit  and  beheld  the  tortures  and  heard 
the  groans  of  the  damned.  "Perfect  in  Christ  Jesus,"  in 
experience,  in  obedience,  in  love. 

A  Good  Price  for  Shelter 

We  went  up  into  the  little  chapel  in  the  state  it  was, 
and  said  a  few  words  to  a  few  people.  Lodged  at  a 
grand  tavern  at  night,  and  paid  pretty  well  for  our  shel- 
ter ;  but  I  wish  not  to  be  under  any  obligations  to  tavern 
keepers.  The  heat  is  so  great  that  it  requires  prudence 
to  avoid  its  effects.  A  drover,  who  had  for  many  days 
eaten  dust  like  a  serpent  in  following  his  cattle,  broke  his 
leg  about  seven  miles  below  the  town.  Poor  man,  it  will 
be  well  if  he  saves  his  life. 

July  19.  To  Somerset.  We  found  that  on  the  last 
Sabbath  a  notice  had  been  politely  given  of  our  expected 
arrival.  Many  attended  at  the  courthouse,  and  the  Lord 
spoke  his  own  truths  through  a  tottering  tenement  of 
clay,  accompanied  with  conviction  in  many  minds. 
William  Ross,  with  whom  we  lodged,  stepped  round  the 
town  with  our  mite  subscription,  and  the  citizens  were 
liberal. 

July  20.     We  came  across  Laurel  Hill  to  the  stone 


i8i5]  FOREIGN  MISSIONS  693 

mill  u])()n  Jacob's  Creek.  We  know  not  what  others  may 
think,  but  we  esteem  the  western  I'ennsylvania  roads  t(j 
be  the  roughest  on  our  continent.  My  poor  arms  feel 
them,  and  will  for  days  to  come. 

Stops  for  Rest 

July  21.  To  John  Brightwell's,  Freeport.  Here  we 
will  rest  and  refit.  Since  leaving  Philadelphia,  July  3, 
we  have  traveled  three  hundred  miles.  The  weather  has 
been  warm  and  has  told  on  me. 

July  23.  At  Brightwell's  I  preached  upon  Gal. 
4.  19,  20.  The  apostle's  labor  and  success  at  the  first ; 
the  falling  away  of  the  converts,  being  drawn  aside  in 
search  of  an  easier  way,  or  going  off  to  avoid  persecu- 
tion ;  the  fervent  desire  of  the  apostle  to  be  with,  and  to 
pass  a  second  travail  of  soul  for,  the  whole  of  religion, 
inward,  practical,  and  experimental.  I  spoke  about  thirty 
minutes.  John  W.  Bond  met  the  classes.  He  preached 
in  the  afternoon,  and  with  tokens  of  power. 

Everywhere  Gives  His  Parting  Charge 

Aug.  I.  Left  Brightwell's,  fording  the  Monongahela 
at  Freeport.  We  ascended  the  dreadful  hills  to  Briggs's, 
and  saw  him  and  his  brother,  to  whom  we  failed  not  to 
give  our  parting  charge.  Briggs  is  a  Alarylander,  and  an 
ancient  Methodist.  Down  went  the  fence,  and  through 
the  flax  and  corn  he  conducted  us,  and  onward  we  toiled 
to  Newkirk's  mill,  a  clean  house,  and  kind  souls.  We 
might  not  stay.  Forward  we  drove  up  the  valley  to  Rock 
meetinghouse,  a  handsome  edifice,  and  thence  along  the 
Williamsport  road  to  Washington.  We  were  lodged 
like  a  President  at  Haslett's.  Is  it  possible?  Can  it  be 
true  ? — a  revival  at  Steubenville  !  Not  far  from  two  hun- 
dred converts  there,  mostly  young  people.  I  rejoice  ex- 
ceedingly. At  Washington  a  Baptist  missionary  came 
into  town  collecting  for  foreign  lands ;  we  labor  for  those 


694  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

at  home.  Feeble  as  I  was,  the  necessity  of  bearing  testi- 
mony to  the  trutli  pressed  upon  me.  As  our  Baptist 
brother  talked  and  read  letters  upon  missions  to  foreign 
lands  I  thought  I  might  help  with  a  few  words.  I  related 
that  a  few  years  past  a  London  ]\Iethodist  member,  in 
conversation,  had  complained  to  me  that  the  kingdom 
and  the  church  had  given  so  largely  to  support  distant 
missions.  I  observed  in  reply  that  the  Methodist  preach- 
ers, who  had  been  sent  by  John  Wesley  to  America,  came 
as  missionaries ;  some  of  them  returned,  but  all  did  not. 
And  now,  behold  the  consequences  of  this  mission !  We 
have  seven  hundred  traveling  preachers,  and  three  thou- 
sand local  preachers,  who  cost  us  nothing.  We  will  not 
give  up  the  cause,  we  will  not  abandon  the  world  to  in- 
fidels ;  nay,  we  will  be  their  plagues,  we  will  find  them 
herculean  work  to  put  us  down.  We  will  not  give  up  that 
which  we  know  to  be  glorious,  until  we  see  something 
more  glorious.  Nor  will  we  concede  an  inch  to  schis- 
matics and  heretics,  who  say,  "Do  away  your  forms,  and 
leave  your  peculiar  doctrines,  and  we  shall  show  you 
something  better."  Show  it  to  us  first  in  the  Book  of 
God.    We  are  not  ignorant  of  Satan's  devices. 

Aug.  4.  We  came  away  to  J.  Beck's,  West  Liberty. 
It  is  said  there  were  about  three  thousand  people  to  hear 
the  Word  last  Sabbath  at  Steubenville.  There  was  great 
preaching,  a  great  love  feast,  and  sacrament.  Bishop 
McKendree  was  there.  I  had  an  interview  with  R.  Brown, 
and  much  talk  about  the  work  of  God,  and  the  necessity 
of  energetic  preaching  to  wake  the  slumbering  generation. 

''The  Time  is  Short" 

Aug.  6.  I  preached  at  John  Beck's,  at  four  o'clock. 
My  subject  was  i  Cor.  7.  28-30.  "The  time  is  short."  It 
might  have  been  true,  considering  how  uncertain  perse- 
cution then  made,  and  was  about  more  abundantly  to 
make,  life  to  all  the  followers  of  the  Lord  Jesus.     It  may 


1815]  AT  ZANESVILLE  695 

be  especially  true  in  pestilences,  famines,  and  desolatinij^ 
wars.  But  the  jjroverbial  uncertainty,  in  all  ai^es  and  in 
all  lands,  of  the  sublunary  things  which  so  deeply  engage 
the  thoughts  and  affections  of  unthinking  mortals  shows 
the  propriety  of  the  apostolic  admonition;  for  verily,  in 
this  respect  also,  "the  time  is  short."  How  many  parents 
with  children,  in  whom  they  have  discovered,  in  their 
matured  characters  and  upright  conduct,  the  qualities 
and  virtues  which  justify  all  their  strength  of  afTcction ; 
how  many  speculators  upon  the  probabilities  and  possi- 
bilities of  fortune,  who  risk  credit  and  estate  to  become 
richer  than  their  fellow  mortals ;  how  many  covetous 
persons,  idolaters,  who  labor  and  starve  to  make  the 
golden  heap  a  little  higher — how  many  of  these  find  that 
the  time  is  short,  alas !  too  short  for  them !  O,  sinner, 
the  time  is  short !  Seeker,  the  time  is  short !  Strive, 
agonize  to  enter  in.  Backslider,  surely  to  thee  the  time 
is  short !  Believers,  O,  remember  the  time  is  short !  xAnd 
if  you  are  daily  bearing  your  cross,  faithfully  combating 
under  the  great  Captain  of  your  salvation,  you  will  re- 
joice to  remember  that  the  time  is  short.  O,  joyful  con- 
sideration to  those  who  have  put  on  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
shall  love  his  appearing,  this  time  of  suflfering  is  short ! 

Aug.  II  (Ohio).  Came  to  Zanesville.  There  is  a 
camp  meeting  now  in  operation,  five  miles  from  this 
town.  We  reckon  that  since  the  twentieth  of  June  we 
have  passed  through  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  New 
York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  and  Ohio,  to 
Muskingum  River,  making  nine  hundred  miles ;  two  hun- 
dred of  which  ought,  in  our  opinion,  to  be  called  the  worst 
on  the  continent.  O,  the  goodness,  providence,  and  love 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  to  us ! 

Aug.  13.  I  preached  on  the  campground.  My  subject 
was  2  Cor.  5.  11:  "Knowing  therefore  the  terror  of  the 
Lord,  we  persuade  men" ;  "The  Lord,"  that  is,  the  Son  of 
God,  in  all  his  attributes  and  perfections,  his  offices  and 


696  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

character,  his  perfect  Deity  in  heaven,  and  humanity  on 
earth ;  the  Maker  and  Redeemer  of  mankind ;  and  as  their 
Judge,  manifesting  his  uprightness  in  the  eternal  punish- 
ment of  bad  angels  and  bad  men;  "Terror  of  the  Lord," 
in  death,  the  resurrection,  and  general  judgment ;  "Ter- 
ror," in  the  recollection  of  what  the  sinner  had  done  to 
offend  God,  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit,  what  he  had  done  to 
bring  contempt  upon  religion  and  its  ministers,  and  the 
unoffending  followers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ;  "Terror,"  in  the 
consideration  of  the  certainty  of  his  punishment  being 
eternal;  "Persuade  men,"  to  submit  to  the  conditions  of 
salvation,  to  use  the  means  of  grace,  and  to  live  a  life  of 
gospel  obedience ;  "Persuade  men,"  by  all  that  is  desir- 
able in  religion,  and  all  that  the  truly  pious  enjoy,  by  all 
the  glories  of  heaven,  and  all  the  horrors  of  remediless 
perdition  in  hell.  By  the  judgment  of  charity,  we  are 
bound  to  believe  the  statement  of  David  Young,  that  at 
Kenhawa  camp  meeting  there  were  twenty-five  converts, 
at  Marietta  forty,  at  Fairfield  twenty-four,  at  Zanesville 
twenty-three.  Glory  be  to  our  God !  Now  we  live,  if 
our  people  stand  fast  in  the  faith. 

Peter's  Denial  of  Discipleship 

Aug.  20.  I  preached  to  a  small  congregation  in  the 
chapel  at  Chillicothe.  There  is  a  camp  meeting  within 
nine  miles,  and  some  are  sick,  some  dying,  and  some  are 
dead.  My  subject  was  Luke  22.  61 :  "And  the  Lord 
turned,  and  looked  upon  Peter."  Peter  denied  thrice: 
First,  to  the  damsel  who  kept  the  door,  John  having 
asked  leave  of  the  high  priest  to  bring  in  Peter ;  secondly, 
when  the  kinsman  or  cousin  of  Malchus,  whose  ear  Peter 
had  cut  off,  witnessed,  possibly,  by  the  young  man,  asked 
him,  "Did  not  I  see  thee  in  the  garden  with  him?" 
thirdly,  when  the  conversation  is  taken  up  in  company 
with  the  servants  of  the  high  priest,  and  one  of  them 
asks,  "Art  thou  not  one  of  his  disciples?"  The  previous 


i8i5]  THE  LOVE  OF  GOD  697 

character  of  Peter  may  be  noticed — a  married  man,  not 
a  youth  ;  forward,  ardent,  as  was  seen  on  many  occasions. 
When  faithfully  warned,  he  pledged  himself  with  over- 
weening confidence.  His  ofifense  was,  first,  taking  un- 
hallowed means  of  defense,  like  his  pretended  successors, 
the  popes;  secondly,  following  too  far  ofif ;  thirdly,  deny- 
ing his  Lord.  The  lie,  the  oath,  and  their  repetition 
follow,  of  course.  What  was  the  subject  of  Peter's 
denial?  Did  he  deny  that  Christ  was  the  eternal  Son  of 
God,  the  Saviour  of  the  world  in  all  his  sacred  offices? 
No,  Peter's  crime  was  that  he  denied  his  discipleship; 
and  this  is  the  crime  of  which  so  many  modern  apostates 
are  guilty.  Who  now  deny  the  Lord?  Pjacksliders, 
baptized  infidels,  careless  seekers  of  salvation,  slothful 
believers,  and  those  who  have  fallen  from  sanctification 
by  the  neglect  of  the  works  of  mercy,  charity,  and  piety. 
''The  Lord  turned,  and  looked  upon  Peter."  Ah !  he 
was  obliged  to  go  out  with  disgrace ;  he  had  entered  with 
honor.  But  he  could  not  weep  and  repent  in  wicked 
company ;  no,  he  sought  a  solitude,  for  three  days  and 
three  nights,  it  may  be.  But  lo,  Jesus  sendeth  the  word 
of  comfort  that  he  may  not  break  his  heart:  "Go,  tell  my 
brethren,"  said  he  to  Mary  Magdalene.  Thrice  did  Peter 
deny  his  Lord ;  and  thrice  did  our  Lord  question  his 
disciple,  ''Lovest  thou  me  ?"  O,  how  great  is  the  love  of 
God,  the  love  of  Christ,  the  love  of  the  Holy  Spirit! 
Redemption  is  love. 

Visits  from  House  to  Hotise 

Aug.  21.  We  visited  from  house  to  house  with  our 
mite  subscription,  which  seemed  to  all  well-pleasing.  The 
citizens  were  liberal. 

Aug.  23.  We  left  Chillicothe  in  the  rain.  Some  folks 
are  fond  of  railing  out  against  Methodists,  taking  the 
worst  as  a  sample ;  but,  bad  as  they  are,  I  would  not  take 
the  best  of  the  railers  without  a  change  in  sentiment,  in 


698  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

heart,  and  in  manners.  Ah !  let  us  take  heed  that  party 
and  pohtics  do  not  drive  out  our  piety ;  they  do  not 
mingle  well.  Can  it  be  that  Bonaparte  is  finally  over- 
thrown? The  time  is  coming  that  all  kings  and  rulers 
must  acknowledge  the  reign  of  the  King  of  kings,  or 
feel  the  rod  of  the  Son  of  God.  But  will  forms  do  for 
the  United  States  of  America?  Foolish  people  will  think 
they  have  a  right  to  govern  themselves  as  they  please ; 
aye,  and  Satan  will  help  them.  Will  this  do  for  us?  Is 
not  this  republic,  this  land,  this  people,  the  Lord's?  We 
acknowledge  no  other  king  but  the  eternal  King.  And 
if  our  great  men  will  not  rule  in  righteousness,  but  forget 
God  and  Christ,  what  will  be  the  consequence  ?    Ruin. 

Aug.  26.  We  changed  our  course,  to  go  to  the  Me- 
chanicsburg  camp  meeting.  As  soon  as  we  came  upon 
the  ground  I  felt  that  God  was  with  the  meeting.  Give 
us  a  chimney,  that  we  may  have  fire !  It  was  done.  God 
was  with  us,  and  souls  were  converted. 

The  Night  is  Far  Spent 

Sept.  3.  I  preached  on  Rom.  13.  12:  "The  night  is  far 
spent."  On  our  route  we  called  upon  many  of  our  old 
friends,  Buck,  Sale,  Bonner,  Smith,  Butler ;  they  treated 
us  like  Presidents. 

Sept.  4.  I  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  applying 
four  blisters  for  a  great  inflammation  in  my  face  and 
jaws.  I  have  taken  medicine.  As  a  member  of  the  Bible 
Society  in  Philadelphia,  I  have  distributed  many  hundreds 
of  Testaments.  John  Wesley  Bond  reads  many  times  in 
the  Testaments  given  to  the  poor.  We  do  great  things 
with  our  mite  subscription.  I  have  visited  the  families  of 
Butler,  Owens,  Beale,  Heath,  Wright,  Fowler,  and  Davis. 

Sept.  10.  I  preached  on  the  campground.  My  sub- 
ject was  Heb.  3.  7,  8:  "His  voice":  What  is  the  voice 
of  God  to  us ;  to  every  case  and  character  ?  The  gospel 
of  the  grace  of  God,  in  all  its  blessings,  promises,  means, 


i8i5]  TO-DAY,  NOT  TO-MORROW  699 

ordinances,  doctrines,  and  precepts;  "His  voice,"  in 
power,  in  mercy,  in  providence,  in  love ;  "Harden  not 
your  hearts,"  we  may  harden  our  hearts  against  the 
former,  latter,  and  present  impressions  the  powerful 
gospel  may  have  made  upon  our  hopes,  our  fears,  and 
our  consciences.  In  what  manner?  By  open,  notorious 
sinning,  by  secret  wickedness,  by  sinful  tempers  indulged, 
by  a  willful  neglect  of  gospel  men  and  gospel  means. 
The  greatness  of  our  rebellion ;  we  sin  against  the  in- 
finite love  of  God,  the  infinite  merit  of  Christ,  the  Spirit 
of  infinite  holiness.  "To-day"  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice; 
"to-day,"  this  is  both  the  true  reading  and  meaning.  Not 
to-morrow ;  no,  it  may  never  come.  To-day,  then, 
speaker  and  hearer,  do  all  you  can  for  God. 

The  Ohio  Conference 

Sept.  14.  Our  Ohio  Conference  began,  and  all  our 
fears  vanished.  We  have  great  peace,  abundance  of 
accommodation,  and  comfortable  seasons  in  preaching, 
noon  and  night,  in  the  chapel  and  courthouse.  Great 
grace,  and  peace,  and  success  have  attended  our  coming 
together.  We  hold  in  Ohio  Conference  sixty-eight 
preachers,  sixty-seven  of  whom  are  stationed.  Ten  dele- 
gates have  been  chosen  for  the  General  Conference. 
The  settlement  with  the  married  and  unmarried  was  made 
according  to  the  funds,  in  which  the  mite  subscription 
aided.  The  children  of  the  preachers  were  remembered 
in  the  distribution  of  the  funds. 

Asbtjry  Lays  Down  Part  of  His  Borden 

Sept.  21.  We  came  away  to  Cincinnati.  Bishop  Mc- 
Kendree  and  myself  had  a  long  and  earnest  talk  about 
the  affairs  of  our  church  and  my  future  prospects.  I  told 
him  my  opinion  was  that  the  Western  part  of  the  empire 
would  be  the  glory  of  America  for  the  poor  and  pious ; 
that   it  ought   to   be   marked   out   for  five   Conferences, 


700  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

to  wit:  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Holston,  Mississippi,  and  Mis- 
souri ;  in  doing  which,  as  well  as  I  was  able,  I  traced  out 
lines  and  boundaries.  I  told  my  colleague  that  having 
passed  the  first  allotted  period  (seventy  years),  and  be- 
ing, as  he  knew,  out  of  health,  it  could  not  be  expected  I 
could  visit  the  extremities  every  year,  presiding  in  eight, 
it  might  be  twelve.  Conferences,  and  traveling  six  thou- 
sand miles  in  eight  months.  If  I  were  able  still  to  keep 
up  with  the  Conferences  I  could  not  be  expected  to  pre- 
side in  more  than  every  other  one.  As  to  the  stations,  I 
should  never  exhibit  a  plan  unfinished,  but  still  get  all 
the  information  in  my  power,  so  as  to  enable  me  to  make 
it  perfect,  like  the  painter  who  touches  and  retouches 
until  all  parts  of  the  picture  are  pleasing.  The  plan  I 
might  be  laboring  on  would  always  be  submitted  to  such 
eyes  as'  ought  to  see  it ;  and  the  measure  I  meted  to  others, 
I  should  expect  to  receive. 

Memorial  Sermon  for  Bishop  Coke 

Sept.  24.  I  preached  at  Lebanon,  by  request  of  Con- 
ference, a  memorial  sermon  for  Dr.  Coke.  My  subject 
was  Matt.  5.  16:  "Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men." 
The  gospel  light,  in  all  its  fullness  of  grace  and  power, 
the  reflected  light  of  that  Light  of  the  world  manifested 
in  faith  and  in  obedience  in  every  grade  and  class  of  be- 
lievers. Ministers  should  be  resplendent  like  a  city 
illuminated  in  the  night ;  a  great  light  amid  churches  in 
darkness  and  slumber ;  like  Dr.  Coke,  whose  efifulgence 
beamed  forth  in  missions,  in  labors,  in  Europe,  in  Amer- 
ica, in  the  isles  of  the  sea,  and  in  Asia.  I  took  occasion 
to  particularize  the  abundant  labors  of  this  distinguished 
man  of  God. 

Sept.  29  (Cincinnati).  Bishop  McKendree's  fractures 
are  all  repaired,  and  bones  strong  again,  I  suppose,  for 
he  has  flown  away  like  a  bird  with  the  boys.  We  must 
stay  and  distribute  the  Word  of  God  to  the  poor,  collect 


1815]  DEBTOR  TO  THE  CONTINENT  701 

a  little  mite  iiioiiey,  and  then  away,  preaching  in  every 
town  we  pass  through. 

The  Word  of  This  Salvation 

Oct.  I.  I  preached  in  the  chapel,  my  subject  being 
Phil.  I.  27.  Wednesday  I  preached  in  the  courthouse  in 
Georgetown,  my  subject  Acts  13.  26:  "To  you  is  the 
word  of  this  salvation  sent."  i.  "This  salvation,"  the 
gospel,  to  be  sure ;  2.  Who  the  author,  what  the  nature, 
means,  conditions,  spirituality,  and  degrees  of  this  salva- 
tion ;  3.  from  whom  it  is  sent,  by  whom,  and  to  whom  it  is 
sent;  it  was  sent  to  Jews  first,  afterward  to  the  Gentiles, 
and  continued  to  be  sent  and  is  still  sent  to  the  children 
of  men  by  the  written  Word,  by  the  ministers  of  that 
Word,  and  by  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  4.  The 
consequences  of  its  reception,  eternal  life;  of  its  rejec- 
tion, everlasting  damnation.  We  came  into  Lexington. 
My  soul  is  blessed  with  continual  consolation  and  peace 
in  all  my  great  weakness  of  body,  labor,  and  crowds  of 
company.  I  am  a  debtor  to  the  whole  continent,  but 
more  especially  to  the  Northeast  and  Southwest ;  it  is 
there  I  usually  gain  health,  and  generally  lose  in  the 
South  and  center.  I  have  visited  the  South  thirty  times 
in  thirty-one  years.  I  wish  to  visit  Mississippi,  but  am 
resigned.  I  preached  in  Lexington  on  Zeph.  3.  12: 
'T  will  also  leave  in  the  midst  of  thee  an  afflicted  and 
poor  people,  and  they  shall  trust  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord."  The  true  character  of  God's  people,  tempted, 
grieved,  poor  in  spirit.  Their  strong  confidence  in 
Jehovah  ;  in  all  his  attributes,  perfections,  promises ;  in 
all  his  sacred  offices  and  near  relations  to  his  own  people. 
Well  guarded  by  a  supreme  love  of  God,  and  a  love  to 
their  fellow  men,  this  people  shall  not  transgress  the  law 
in  its  word  nor  in  its  spirit.  Nor  shall  they  deceive ;  for 
the  deceitful  tongue  is  changed  b}-  the  grace  that  changed 
the  deceitful  heart.     As  a  flock,  their  souls  shall  feed  and 


702  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

fatten  on  the  privileges  and  ordinances  of  the  gospel, 
while  other  flocks  of  the  hireling  shall  starve  and  be 
scattered.  The  flock  of  God  shall  be  led  into  green 
pastures  by  the  Great  Shepherd,  and  they  shall  lie  down, 
undisturbed  by  that  which  shall  distress  others,  assured 
that  they  shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any  be  able  to 
pluck  them  out  of  his  hand. 

Takes  Counsel  with  His  Sons  in  the  Gospel 

Oct.  10.  At  James  McKendree's.  Wednesday  I  took 
counsel  of  my  elder  sons,  who  advised  me  not  to  go  to 
Mississippi  this  year.  Nathaniel  Moore  has  come  to 
take  away  our  sister,  Frances  McKendree ;  all  parties  are 
pleased.  On  Thursday  I  officiated  at  their  marriage. 
We  believe  it  is  of  the  Lord.  They  are  a  worthy  couple, 
and  nearly  of  an  age.  We  have  given  away  many  Testa- 
ments to  the  poor  on  our  route  hither,  and  they  were  in 
all  cases  received  with  thankfulness.  We  accompany  our 
gifts  with  prayer  and  exhortation  when  opportunities 
offer. 

Oct.  15.  I  attended  the  funeral  of  the  little  son  of 
James  McKendree,  and  spoke  a  few  words.  James  Gwin 
spoke  on  David's  words,  "I  shall  go  to  him,  but  he  shall 
not  return  to  me."  I  baptized  Frances  Elizabeth  jMabry. 
So  here  have  been  a  marriage,  a  funeral,  and  a  baptism ; 
and  must  I  be  honored  and  burdened  with  them  all? 
Well,  make  the  best  of  me  while  you  have  me.  It  will 
not  be  often.    I  shall  not  be  here  long. 

Asb«ry*s  Last  Conference 

Oct.  20.  We  opened  our  Conference.  Great  peace, 
great  order,  and  a  great  deal  of  business  done.  I  or- 
dained the  deacons,  and  preached  a  sermon,  in  which  Dr. 
Coke  was  remembered.  My  eyes  fail.  I  will  resign  the 
stations  to  Bishop  McKendree ;  I  will  take  away  my  feet. 
It  is  my  fifty-fifth  year  of  ministry,  and  forty-fifth  year 


i8i5]  SURRENDERS  COMMISSION  703 

of  labor  in  /Vmerica.  My  mind  enjoys  great  peace  and 
divine  consolation.  Aly  health  is  better,  which  may  in 
part  be  because  of  my  being  less  deeply  interested  in  the 
business  of  the  Conferences.  lUit  whether  health,  life, 
or  death,  good  is  the  will  of  the  Lord.  I  will  trust  him, 
yea,  and  will  praise  him.  He  is  the  strength  of  my  heart 
and  my  portion  forever.  Glory  !  glory  !  glory  !  Confer- 
ence was  eight  days  and  a  half  in  session,  hard  labor. 
Bishop  McKendree  called  upon  me  to  preach  at  the 
ordination  of  elders. 

Bishop  Asbury  here    "surrendered     his  commission."       This 
was  the  last  Conference  he  attended. 

Oct.  29.  At  a  little  place,  called  a  meetinghouse,  I 
preached  by  appointment.  The  notice  given  had  been 
short,  and  rather  uncertain,  nevertheless  many  attended, 
more  than  was  at  all  expected.  We  had  a  feeling  time ; 
I  spoke  awful  words. 

Nov.  I.  We  came  upon  the  turnpike,  a  disgrace  to 
the  state  and  to  the  overseers,  supposing  they  had  any 
character  to  lose.  It  is  a  swindling  of  the  public  out  of 
their  money  to  demand  toll  on  such  roads  as  these.  We 
are  told,  "Why,  they  make  you  pay  on  the  turnpikes  to 
the  eastward."  Yes,  so  they  do ;  and  they  make  fine 
roads.  Thursday,  to  Father  Holt's,  forty-three  miles. 
We  came  in  two  hours  after  night.  This  will  not  do,  I 
must  halt,  or  order  my  grave. 

Asbury  had  a  real  sense  of  humor.      He  frequently  indulged 
in  a  play  upon  words,  as  here. 

Nov.  4.  I  am  very  ill.  Friday,  rest  and  medicine.  I 
felt  that  keeping  three  men  and  four  horses  three  days 
and  four  nights  w-as  too  great  a  burden  to  impose.  O, 
what  kindness  and  attentions  I  receive ! 

Growing  Weaker 

Nov.  5.  I  declined  preaching  on  the  Sabbath,  being  so 
exceedingly   weak.      Tuesday   we   stopped   with   W'esley 


704 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1815 


Harrison,  son  of  Thomas  Harrison,  of  Harrisonburg. 
The  father  was  the  first  man  under  whose  roof  I  lodged 
on  my  first  visit  to  that  town.  His  pious  wife,  and  simple- 
hearted,  pious  Robert  Harrison,  are,  I  trust,  both  in 
glory.  I  have  received  a  statement  from  James  Axley 
of  the  work  of  God  in  the  different  places  within  his 


EUTAW   STREET    METHODIST   CHURCH,    BALTIMORE. 

The  remains  of  Bishop  Asbury  were  buried  under  the  pulpit  of  this 
church,  18 16,  where  they  remained  until  1854  when  they  were  finally 
placed  in  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery  in  Baltimore. 

knowledge,  at  quarter  and  camp  meetings ;  and  it  appears 
there  were  upward  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  sovils  who 
professed  to  have  found  justifying  grace.  There  were 
powerful  rains  at  some  of  these  meetings  to  interrupt  the 
preaching,  and  drive  the  people  from  their  seats,  but  the 
work  of  God  prospered  in  the  tents. 

Nov.  6.     We  came  to  Captain  Hill's,  very  kind  and 
attentive.     Tuesday,  came  to  Thomas  Harrison's,  son  of 


1815]  DELIVERS  HIS  TESTIMONY  705 

Thomas.  Tlnirsday,  at  Boling's,  wc  were  greatly  an- 
noyed by  a  brigade  of  Kentuckians.  Can  fiends  be  more 
wicked  ?  The  drunkards  kept  the  house  in  an  uproar. 
Friday,  at  Barnett's,  there  was  a  dance,  such  fiddhng  and 
drinking !  I  dehvered  my  testimony ;  I  am  clear  from 
Barnett's  blood.  A  rapid  ride  brought  us  to  Mills's  on 
Saturday. 

Nov.  12.  I  attended  the  quarterly  meeting  at  Samuel 
Edney's,  and  bore  a  feeble  but  a  faithful  testimony  to  the 
truth.  I  have  read,  with  dim  eyes,  Joseph  Moore's  dia- 
logue ;  it  is  not  elegant,  but  argumentative.  It  seems  to 
have  silenced  the  Baptists. 

The  Signs  of  a  FaithfttI  Ministry 

Nov.  19.  I  preached  upon  Acts  26.  17,  18.  Many 
were  the  instances  of  deliverance ;  they  bound  him  and 
scourged  him,  yet  had  the  Jews  no  power  over  his  life, 
which  they  so  often  sought.  And  the  Gentiles,  to  whom 
he  was  especially  sent  by  the  Son  of  God,  what  a  descrip- 
tion is  given  of  their  deplorable  state !  What  blindness 
of  mind,  ignorance,  idolatry,  superstition,  complicated 
and  unaccountable  wickedness !  "The  power  of  Satan," 
completely  in  his  possession,  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  in  all 
their  powers  and  passions,  in  infidelity  and  impenitence, 
and  under  the  guilt  of  actual  transgression.  Thus  gospel 
truth  and  gospel  ministers  find  sinners ;  and  they  must 
be  preached  to  with  energy.  And  these  ministers  must 
be  sent ;  and  to  be  qualified  for  this  mission,  they  must, 
like  Paul,  be  convinced,  convicted,  and  converted,  and 
sanctified.  Like  him  they  must  be  preserved  from  the 
violence  of  the  people,  but  especially  from  their  indul- 
gences and  flatteries.  "Turning  them  from  darkness  to 
light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God."  A  faith- 
ful minister  will  have, these  signs  to  follow  him. 

I  die  daily ;  am  made  perfect  by  labor  and  sufifering, 
and  fill  up  still  what  is  behind.     There  is  no  time  or 


7o6  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1815 

opportunity  to  take  medicine  in  the  daytime,  I  must  do  it 
at  night.    I  am  wasting  away  with  a  constant  cough. 

Nov.  20.  At  Benjamin  Glover's.  At  Allen  Glover's 
on  Tuesday.    My  children  will  not  let  me  go  out. 

Nov.  23.  Came  to  Thomas  Child's,  near  Cambridge, 
twenty  miles.  Friday,  to  Dr.  William  Moon's.  Satur- 
day, the  doctor  urges,  and  I  have  consented  to  take 
digitalis.    O,  the  powerful  expectoration  that  followed ! 

Trying  to  Do  Good 

Nov.  26.  I  preached,  and  we  had  a  time  of  great  feel- 
ing. Monday,  heavy  rain.  We  came  away  to  Hezekiah 
Arrington's,  a  cold,  damp  ride.  Tuesday,  to  the  widow 
Means's ;  the  lady  was  not  at  home,  but  the  servants  are 
attentive.  John  W^esley  Bond  preached  in  the  kitchen. 
We  try  to  do  good.  Wednesday,  to  Sterling  William- 
son's, thirty  miles  in  eight  hours.  A  damp,  rainy  day,  by 
no  means  pleasant  to  me.    Thursday,  rested. 

Dec.  I.    Reached  Columbia,  South  Carolina. 

Dec.  2.  A  melancholy  and  awful  scene  has  been  wit- 
nessed here.  Dr.  Ivey  Finch,  about  thirty  years  of  age, 
in  driving  a  violent  horse  out  of  Columbia  in  his  chair, 
was  dashed  between  the  shaft  and  wheel,  and  his  skull 
fractured.  The  unhappy  man  was  the  only  son  of  my 
dear  friend,  Edward  Finch.  How  many  gospel  ser- 
mons had  he  heard,  and  how  many  prayers  had  been 
offered  up  for  him  ! 

Still  Preachingt  Still  Traveling 

Dec.  3.  I  preached  on  this  Sabbath.  I  feel  deeply 
upon  my  mind  the  consequence  of  this  charge.  I  have 
passed  three  nights  at  B.  Arthur's,  two  at  friend  Alex- 
ander McDowell's,  and  one  night  at  Colonel  Hutchin- 
son's. The  poor  colonel  is  like  myself,  broken  to  pieces. 
My  consolations  are  great.  I  live  in  God  from  moment 
to  moment. 


i8i6l  THE  LAST  ENTRY  707 

Dec.  7.  We  met  a  storm  and  stopped  at  William 
Baker's,  Granby. 

Thus  with  dramatic  abruptness  closes  the  personally 
written  record  of  the  life  of  the  most  remarkable  eccle- 
siastic American  Christianity  has  known.  Even  more 
mis^'ht  be  said.  The  Minutes  of  the  Conferences  for  1816 
in  reply  to  the  question,  "Who  have  died  this  year?"  an- 
swer, "The  venerable  Francis  Asbury,"  and  in  a  memoir 
of  his  life  say,  "When  we  count  the  thousands  through- 
out this  vastly  extensive  continent  who,  with  affectionate 
veneration,  owned  him  as  their  spiritual  father,  we  may 
question  if  a  weightier  charge  has  been  committed  to 
any  man  since  the  days  of  the  apostles ;  and  when  the 
records  of  his  life  shall  meet  the  public  eye,  who,  that 
patiently  examines  and  candidly  decides,  will  be  bold 
enough  to  say  that  since  that  time  duties  so  great  and 
so  various  have  been  by  one  man  more  faithfully  per- 
formed?" 

After  this  last  entry  in  his  Journal  Bishop  Asbury  lived 
nearly  four  months,  his  death  occurring  Sunday,  March 
31,  1 816.  During  these  months  his  zeal  knew  no 
diminution,  notwithstanding  his  extreme  debility.  Con- 
sumption had  laid  hold  upon  his  broken  body,  and  it  was 
v/ith  extreme  difficulty  that  he  continued  his  journey. 
He  hoped  to  be  present  at  the  General  Conference  which 
was  to  assemble  in  Baltimore  on  the  second  of  May,  and 
bent  all  his  remaining  energies  to  this  end.  His  great 
mind  rose  superior  to  his  bodily  weakness,  and  he  pressed 
on.  Impelled  by  that  unquenchable  thirst  to  do  good  by 
which  he  had  been  actuated  for  more  than  fifty  years, 
he  continued  with  his  faithful  traveling  companion.  John 
Wesley  Bond,  in  a  closed  carriage,  to  journey  from  place 
to  place,  as  his  exhausting  strength  would  permit,  fre- 
quently preaching,  until  he  came  to  Richmond,  Virginia, 
where  he  preached  his  last  sermon,  March  24,  1816,  in 


7o8  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1816 

the  old  Methodist  church.  Previous  to  his  entering  upon 
this  last  pulpit  exercise,  some  of  his  friends,  perceiving 
his  great  weakness  of  body,  endeavored  to  dissuade  him 
from  preaching ;  but  he  resisted  their  entreaties  by  say- 
ing that  he  must  once  more  deliver  his  public  testi- 
mony in  that  place.  Yielding  to  his  desire  to  proclaim 
once  more  the  counsel  of  his  God,  they  carried  him  from 
the  carriage  in  which  he  rode — for  he  was  unable  either 
to  walk  or  stand — to  the  pulpit,  and  seated  him  on  a 
table  prepared  for  that  purpose. 

Though  he  had  to  make  frequent  pauses  in  the  course 
of  his  sermon,  for  the  purpose  of  recovering  breath,  yet 
he  spoke  nearly  an  hour  with  much  feeling  and  effect 
from  Rom.  9.  28:  "For  he  will  finish  the  work,  and  cut 
it  short  in  righteousness :  because  a  short  work  will  the 
Lord  make  upon  the  earth."  The  audience  was  much 
affected,  and  crowded  about  him  at  the  close  of  the 
service  to  receive  his  parting  blessing.  Having  delivered 
his  testimony,  he  was  carried  from  the  pulpit  to  his  car- 
riage, and  taken  to  his  lodgings.  Thus  ended  the  mighty 
preacher's  public  labors  on  the  earth.  Tuesday,  Thurs- 
day, and  Friday  of  that  week  he  traveled,  hoping  to  reach 
Fredericksburg,  but  the  weather  was  inclement,  and,  his 
strength  rapidly  failing,  he  was  glad  to  rest  at  the  home 
of  his  old  friend  George  Arnold,  about  twenty  miles  from 
Fredericksburg.  He  seemed  to  realize  that  the  end  was 
drawing  near,  for  when  he  heard  the  members  of  the 
family  discussing  an  appointment  for  a  meeting  he 
quietly  remarked  that  there  was  no  need  of  haste,  a  re- 
mark so  unusual  that  it  gave  Brother  Bond  much  un- 
easiness. Toward  evening  he  became  greatly  indisposed. 
His  cough  increased,  and  he  obtained  rest  with  difficulty, 
finding  it  impossible  to  lie  down.  About  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning  he  remarked  that  he  had  passed  a  night  of 
great  bodily  suffering,  and  suggested  that  the  end  was 
drawing  near.     It  was  proposed  to  send  for  a  physician, 


i8i6]  CLOSING  SCENES  709 

but  he  gave  them  to  understaiul  that  it  would  he  useless, 
that  before  the  ])hysieian  eoukl  reach  him  his  breath 
would  he  gone,  and  the  doctor  could  only  pronounce  him 
dead.  IJeing  asked  if  he  had  anything  to  communicate, 
he  said  that  he  had  fully  expressed  his  mind  in  relation 
to  the  church  in  his  addresses  to  Bishop  McKendree  and 
the  General  Conference,  and  had  nothing  more  to  add. 
About  eleven  o'clock  on  Sunday  he  inquired  if  it  was  not 
time  for  meeting,  then  in  a  moment  recollecting  himself 
he  requested  that  the  family  might  be  called  into  his 
room  for  worship.  What  a  memorable  scene  that  was ! 
The  indomitable  leader,  now  so  emaciated  that  he  seemed 
more  dead  than  living,  was  propped  up  in  bed,  and  about 
him  were  his  dear  friend  of  many  years,  George  Arnold, 
and  the  members  of  his  household,  and  John  Wesley 
Bond,  for  three  years  Asbury's  devoted  companion  and 
helper.  The  last-named  sang  a  hymn,  offered  a  fervent 
prayer,  and  then  read  and  expounded  the  twenty-first 
chapter  of  the  book  of  Revelation,  beginning,  "And  I 
saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth :  for  the  first  heaven 
and  the  first  earth  were  passed  away."  It  was  a  familiar 
and  loved  chapter,  for  Asbury  frequently  preached  from 
the  sixth  and  seventh  verses,  'T  am  Alpha  and  Omega,, 
the  beginning  and  the  end.  I  will  give  unto  him  that  is 
athirst  of  the  fountain  of  the  water  of  life  freely.  He 
that  overcometh  shall  inherit  all  things;  and  I  will  be 
his  God,  and  he  shall  be  my  son,"  and  he  must  have 
listened  with  great  joy.  During  these  religious  exer- 
cises he  appeared  calm  and  much  engaged  in  devotion. 
When  the  meeting  was  over  he  called  on  Bond  to  read 
the  "mite  subscription,"  a  subscription  which  Asbury 
circulated  everywhere  for  the  superannuated  and  other 
preachers.  Being  told  that  there  were  no  others  present 
except  the  family,  he  said  no  more.  They  offered  him  a 
little  barley  water,  but  he  was  tmable  to  swallow,  and 
shortly  his  speech  began  to  fail.     Observing  the  obvious 


7IO 


ASBURY'S  JOURNAL 


[1816 


distress  of  his  faithful  comrade,  he  raised  his  dying  hand 
and  looked  joyfully  at  him,  as  if  to  comfort  him.  A  little 
later  Bond  asked  him  if  he  felt  the  Lord  Jesus  to  be 
precious,  and  the  valorous  saint,  now  unable  to  speak, 


GRAVE    OF   ASBURY. 
Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  Baltimore,  Maryland. 


with  much  effort  lifted  both  his  hands  in  token  of  com- 
plete triumph.  A  few  minutes  after  this,  as  he  sat  in  his 
chair,  with  his  head  resting  on  Brother  Bond's  hand, 
without  a  struggle  and  with  great  composure,  the  old 
warrior  entered  into  rest.  As  the  shadows  of  that  Sab- 
bath were  falling  Bond  sent  a  messenger  to  announce  to 


iSi6]  THE  END  COMES  711 

Methodists  everywhere  the  sad  news :  "Our  dear  father 
lias  left  us,  and  has  g'one  to  the  ehurch  triumphant.  He 
died  as  he  lived — full  of  conhdence,  full  of  love — at  four 
o'clock  this  afternoon/"  Sunday,  March  31,  1816. 

He  was  huried  by  those  who  were  with  him,  in  the 
family  burying  ground  of  George  Arnold.  Five  weeks 
later  the  General  Conference  met  in  the  Light  Street 
church,  Baltimore.  Bishop  McKendree  was  present,  but 
very  feeble.  After  the  organization,  on  the  first  day  an 
address  was  presented  from  the  male  members  of  the 
church  in  Baltimore,  asking  the  privilege  of  removing 
the  remains  of  Bishop  Asbury  from  the  place  where  they 
had  been  buried  to  Baltimore.  Their  request  was 
granted,  and  Rev.  John  Wesley  Bond  was  desired  to 
superintend  their  removal.  Five  members  of  the  General 
Conference  were  appointed  to  act  in  concert  with  the 
Baltimore  brethren :  Philip  Bruce,  Nelson  Reed,  Free- 
born Garrettson,  Lewis  Myers,  and  George  Pickering. 

The  Conference  passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  George 
Arnold  for  his  attention  to  Bishop  Asbury  during  his  ill- 
ness, and  requested  permission  to  have  his  body  removed 
to  Baltimore.  Mr.  Arnold  granted  the  request,  and  on 
the  ninth  of  Alay  the  body  arrived,  and  was  placed  in  the 
house  of  William  Hawkins.  The  fact  being  announced 
to  the  Conference  by  Stephen  G.  Roszel,  they  resolved  to 
attend  his  funeral  the  next  morning,  and  appointed  Henry 
Stead,  William  Case,  Seth  Mattison,  and  Llenry  Boehm 
to  act  as  a  guard  of  honor  during  the  night.  "Never 
shall  I  forget  that  night,"  says  the  last  named ;  "thought 
was  busy  in  reviewing  the  past ;  the  whole  life  of  Bishop 
Asbury,  particularly  the  five  years  I  was  with  him,  passed 
before  me  in  review  like  a  panorama.  Five  times  that 
night,  in  imagination,  I  went  with  the  bishop  around  his 
large  diocese,  over  the  mountains  and  valleys.  I  thought 
of  his  self-denial,  his  deadness  to  the  world ;  of  his  intense 
labors,  his  enlarged  benevolence,  his   sympathy   for  the 


712  ASBURY'S  JOURNAL  [1816 

suffering ;  of  the  hundreds  of  sermons  I  had  heard  him 
preach,  tlie  prayers  I  had  heard  him  offer ;  of  the  many 
times  I  had  slept  with  him,  and  how  often  I  had  carried 
h.im  in  my  arms." 

At  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning  the  funeral  services 
took  place.  There  was  a  large  gathering  in  and  about 
the  Light  Street  church,  where  the  body  had  been  lying 
in  state ;  it  was  estimated  that  from  twenty  to  twenty-five 
thousand  people  were  assembled  to  pay  honor  to  the  dis- 
tinguished dead.  When  the  body  was  removed  to  the 
Eutaw  church,  a  mile  away,  at  the  head  of  the  procession 
were  Bishop  McKendree  and  William  Black,  the  repre- 
sentative of  British  Methodism  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence; and  John  Wesley  Bond  and  Henry  Boehm,  the  sur- 
viving traveling  companions,  followed  the  coffin  as  chief 
mourners.  Previous  to  the  interment  Bishop  McKendree 
delivered  a  short  discourse,  about  twenty  minutes  long, 
full  of  pathos,  embracing  some  of  the  leading  facts  of 
his  history,  and  traits  of  character.  The  following  Sun- 
day funeral  sermons  were  preached  in  all  the  Methodist 
churches  of  Baltimore.  Asbury's  remains  rested  in  the 
vault  of  the  Eutaw  church  until  June,  1854,  when  they 
were  again  disinterred  and  finally  deposited  in  Mount 
Olivet  Cemetery  in  Baltimore,  where  are  buried  many  of 
Methodism's  glorious  dead,  Robert  Strawbridge,  Reuben 
Ellis,  Wilson  Lee,  Nathan  Richardson,  Jesse  Lee,  Hamil- 
ton Jefferson,  John  Haggerty,  Abner  Neal,  James  Smith, 
Enoch  George,  John  Emory,  Beverly  Waugh,  and  many 
others.  And  there  Methodism's  greatest  itinerant  hero 
sleeps  his  last  sleep. 


INDEX 


AVjbott,  Rev.  Benjamin,  104. 

Abingdon,  Md.,  visits  and  lays  founda- 
tion of  Cokesbury  College,  238; 
Conference,  245,  461.  See  also 
Cokesbury  College. 

Acuff,  Rev.  Francis,  death  of,  409. 

Africans,  Philadelphia,  381;  Balti- 
more, 403,  409;  Academy,  428, 
522. 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  visits,  326;  Conference, 
346,  366,  386,  530,  687. 

Alexandria,  Va.,  visits,  241,  245,  418. 

Allen,  Beverley,  case  of,  332,  374. 

Amboy,  N.  J.,  visits,  24,  76. 

Amenia,  N.  Y.,  Conference,  596,  637, 
657. 

America,  work  of  God  in,  14s;  enter- 
prise in  Ohio,  536. 

American  Alps,  619;  Independence 
acknowledijed,    209,    210. 

Annapolis,  Md.,  55,  no,  124,  350. 

Antigua,  W.  I.,  Methodism  in,  79,  So. 

Antinomianism,  spirit  of,  104,  306. 

Appalachie,  Ga.,   680. 

Asbury,  Francis,  early  years,  70;  re- 
puted birthplace,  33 8;  autobiog- 
raphy, 339;  conversion,  "343;  local 
and  traveling  preacher,  71,  344; 
early  religious  experience,  70,  394; 
offers  to  go  to  America,  i ;  stormy 
passage  and  services  at  sea,  3 ; 
lands  in  Philadelphia,  5;  first 
watch-night,  7;  reads  Mr. Wesley's 
epistle  to  New  York  Members,  19; 
questions  of  importance  discussed 
27,  28;  forbidden  to  preach  in 
Kent  County,  Md.,  35;  serious 
illness,  S3 -61'.  appointed  to  Balti- 
more, 58;  visits  Virginia,  S4-90; 
fined  for  preaching,  99;  lays  aside 
his  wig,  1 14;  general  fast  observed, 
1 1 5 ;  remains  in  seclusion  125-128; 
resumes  active  work,  though  un- 
able to  preach,  133 ;  expels 
disorderly  members,  134",  difficul- 
ties of  the  itinerancy,  138;  remarks 
on  Hervey's  Dialogues,  139; 
troubles  North  and  South, 
140;  separation  of  Conferences, 
14s;  urges  closer  study  of 
the  Bible,  also  early  rising, 
147,  154;  becomes  citizen  of 
Delaware,  106;  Southern  Cir- 
cuit, 171",  toothache  remedy,  173; 
hardshiiDs  and  travel,  176-179; 
comforting  messages,  iSo;  affec- 
tion for  England,  181;  Thanks- 
giving Day  observed  (1780),  190; 
constant    in    prayer,     192,     204; 


Asbury,  Francis — Continued  : 

death  of  an  old  friend,  205;  de- 
clines reward,  207;  appointed  by 
Mr.  Wesley  "General  Assistant," 
220;  plots  against  him,  223;  meets 
at  Barratt's  Chapel  Dr.  Coke  and 
Mr.  Whatcoat  who  inform  him  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  plan  for  the  Metho- 
dist Church  in  America,  226;  elect- 
ed joint  superintendent  with  Dr. 
Coke,  230;  first  episcopal  tour 
(1785),  243;  revi.ses  his  Journal, 
248;  riotous  opposition  and  try- 
ing experiences,  265-275;  episco- 
pal tour  (1788),  274;  the  bishop's 
congratulatory  address  presented 
by  Asbury  to  President  Wash- 
ington, and  his  reply,  279-281; 
under  fire,  300,  358;  preaches 
on  Mr.  Wesley's  death,  317; 
severe  illness,  375;  sits  for 
his  portrait,  380;  criticism  of 
Wesley's  Journal,  393;  travels 
of  1797,  400;  visits  Freeborn 
Garrettson,  401 ;  eulogy  of  George 
Washington,  406;  wedding  party 
on  Catawba  River,  40S;  Wesley's 
displeasure  unmerited,  420;  leg- 
acy from  a  friend,  456;  directed 
to  suspend  preaching,  456;  death 
of  George  Washington,  464;  his 
resignation  refused,  469;  cor- 
rects transcripts  of  Journal,  483, 
503 ;  examines  and  rewards  school 
children  at  Dover,  493 ;  severe  ill- 
ness in  Philadelphia,  495;  hard- 
ships of  travel,  500;  sufferings  of 
an  itinerant  bishop,  537;  distress- 
ing troubles  of  travel,  53  7 ;_  plans 
tour  with  Dr.  Coke,  541;  his  rea- 
sons for  celibacy,  542;  journeys 
to  Ohio  and  .meets  old  friends, 
547 -.s66;  reasons  for  his  authority, 
561;  Wesley's  Journal,  562;  evils 
to  be  remedied,  577;  sits  again 
for  portrait,  598;  severe 
rheumatic  attack,  601;  notable 
Southern  Conference,  606;  Asbury 
widely  known,  627 ;  narrow  escape 
from  drowning,  633 ;  preaches  to 
the  Union  volunteers,  649 ;  preach- 
es in  House  of  Representatives, 
651;  failing  strength,  654;  invited 
to  visit  British  friends,  657; 
makes  his  will,  leaving  all  to  the 
Book  Concern,  660;  last  year  of 
unbroken  toil,  669;  at  work  on  his 
Journal,  689;  death  of  Dr.  Coke, 
and  memorial  sermon,  700;  meets 


714 


INDEX 


Asbury,  Francis — Continued: 

his  last  Conference  and  surrenders 
his  commission  in  great  weakness, 
702 ;  his  last  sermon  at  Richmond, 
707;  closing  scenes  and  death, 
707-709 ;»  his  burial  and  grave, 
710. 

Asbury,  Mr.  John,  death  of  father  of 
the  bishop,  446,  447. 

Asbury,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  mother  of  the 
bishop,  339,  340;  tribute  to  her 
memory,  504;  death,  515. 

Asheville,    N.   C,   359. 

Ashgrove,  N.  Y.,  529,  530,  563. 

Ashton,  William,   17. 

Athens,  Ga.,  679. 

Atmore's  Memorial,  570. 

Augusta,  Ga.,  407,  464,  482,  500, 
540,    605. 

Bailey,  Rev.  Edward,  178,  179,  180; 
mourns  the  death  of,  184,  185. 

Baldwin,   Rev.  John,   269. 

Ballston  Springs,  N.  Y.,  614. 

Baltimore,  Asbury  appointed  to,  36, 
39;  foundation  of  new  church  laid, 
62,  75;  appointed  to  (1776),  98; 
seat  of  early  General  Conferences, 
351;  first  General  Conference 
(1796),  417;  serious  fire.  Light 
Street  Church  and  academy  de- 
stroyed, 422;  Light  Street  new 
church,  433;  "an  early  Confer- 
ence," 444;  unity  and  peace  in, 
496,  503  ;  Old  Light  Street  Church, 
551;  Lovely  Lane  preaching 
house,  560,  565,  573,  583;  Gen- 
eral Conference,  598,  65s;  Bishop 
Asbury's  last  Conference,  683 ; 
burial  at  Eutaw  Street  Church, 
704;  Olivet  Cemetery  resting 
place  of  many  Methodist  heroes, 
712;  liberality  of  support  of  min- 
isters at  Conference,  525. 

Bamford,  Rev.  Stephen,  623. 

Baptists,  opposition  from  the,  164, 
233.    234,   527.   528. 

Barnard,  Vt.,  637. 

Barratt's  Chapel,  188,  189,  213,  226, 
247,  609,  65s,  685. 

Bascom,  Henry  B.,  602. 

Bath,  Va.,  238,  247,  260,  284,  337, 
365- 

Baxter's  Cure  for  Church  Divisions, 
Asbury's  revision  of,  201. 

Bedford  Court  House,  Va.,  477. 

Bellamy's   Chapel,   435. 

Beinis's  homestead,  Benjamin,  529. 

Berlin,  Pa.,  566. 

Bethel  School,  Ky.,  299,  334,  362,  395, 
478. 

Bethel  School,  S.  C,  408. 

Bethlehem,  Pa.,  589,  590. 

Bird,  Rev.  Jonathan,  428. 

Blades,  Mr.,  liberates  a  slave,  142. 

Boardman,  Rev.  Richard,  8,  11,  15, 
16,  31. 

Boehm,  Rev.  Henry,  459,  561,  600. 

Boehm,  Rev.  Martin,  459,  641,  646. 

Boehm's  Chapel,  459,  641. 

Bohemia  Manor,  16,  17,  228,  6S4. 

Bond,  Rev.  John  Wesley,  674,  678. 


Book  Concern,  first  mention  of,  24. s 
252,  316,  441;  remo\'al  to  New 
York,  546;  Bishop  Asbury  leaves 
all  his  property  to,  660. 

Books,  reprint  of,  must  have  Mr. 
Wesley's  sanction,   49. 

Books  which  Bishop  Asbury  men- 
tions in  his  diary:  Allein's  Letters 
125;  Arminian  Magazine,  230 
306;  Assembly's  Catechism,  154; 
Baxter's  Call,  118;  Baxter's  Re- 
formed Pastor,  628;  Baxter's 
Saint's  Rest,  118,  198;  Belknap's 
American  Biography,  sbtj;  Ben- 
son's Life  of  Fletcher,  649;  Ber- 
ridge's  Christian  World  Un- 
masked ,  73 ;  Blair's  Sermons.  372. 
Brainerd,  Life  of  Rev.  D.,  136. 
569;  Bunyan's  Holy  War,  12S 
Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress.  4 
Burnet's  History  of  His  Own 
Times,  93;  Clark's  Life  of  Origen, 
68;  Cennick's  Sermons,  342. 
Camper  on  Ordination,  150;  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  154;  De  Renty. 
Life  of,  4,  102,  146;  Directory  of 
Church  Government,  154;  Dodd- 
ridge's Rise  and  Progress,  128, 
496;  Edwards  on  the  Affections, 
145 ;  Edwards  on  the  Work  of  God 
in  New  England,  4;  Flavel's 
Works,  122;  Fletcher's  Checks, 
136,  144,  156;  Fletcher,  Life  of, 
306;  Fletcher's  Portrait  of  Saint 
Paul,  412,  567  ;  Form  for  the  Pub- 
lic Worship,  154;  French  Revolu- 
tion, History  of,  393;  Gordon's 
History  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, 332,  374;  Greek  Testament, 
123,  125;  Guyse's  Paraphrase,  56; 
Halyburton,  Life  of,  102;  Ham- 
mond's Notes  on  the  New  Testa- 
ment, 14;  Hervey's  Dialogues. 
136,  139;  Jefferson's  Notes  on 
Virginia,  350;  Johnson's  Apos- 
tolic Canons,  263;  Kempis's 
Christian  Pattern,  365,  600; 
Kempis's  Valley  of  Lilies,  184; 
Keysler's  Travels  in  Switzer- 
land, 181;  Law's  Serious  Call, 
118;  Lee's  History  of  Methodism, 
624;  Marshall's  Life  of  Wash- 
ington, 569;  Mason  on  Self- 
Knowledge,  85;  Moore's  Dia- 
logues, 70s;  Mosheim's  Church 
History,  79,  272;  Neal's  History 
of  the  Puritans,  77;  Newton  on 
the  Prophecies,  150,  260;  Ogden 
on  Revealed  Religion.  398;  Paw- 
son's  Letters,  504;  Prince's  Chris- 
tian History,  374;  Prideaux's 
Connection  of  Old  and  New  Tes- 
taments, 137;  Principles  of  Po- 
liteness, 360;  Robertson's  His- 
tory of  Scotland,  150;  Rollin's 
Ancient  History,  194;  Salmon's 
Grammar,  151;  Saurin's  Sermons, 
466;  Sellon's  Answer  to  Elisha 
Cole,  64,  667;  Sewel's  History  of 
the  Quakers,  37;  Taylor's  Holy 
Living,  82;  Thomson's  Seasons, 
290;     Universal     History,     116; 


INDEX 


715 


Books — Continued: 

Walker's  Sermons,  117;  Walsh. 
Life  of  Rev.  Thomas,  102,  147; 
Watson's  Body  of  Divinity,  142; 
Watts'  Sermons,  174;  Wesk-y's 
Journal,  188,  iqo,  357,  393,  S7o, 
60s ;  Wesley's  Life  of  Dr.  Coke, 
339;  Wesley's  Notes,  114,  126, 
128,  159;  Wesley's  Sermons,  4, 
137,  172,  201,  361,  399,  424.  542, 
s8o,  600;  Wesley's  Works,  122: 
XVhiston's  Josephus,  121;  Whit- 
by's Notes  on  the  New  Testa- 
ment, 106;  Whitefield's  Sermons, 
342;  Whitehead's  Life  of  Wes- 
ley, 655;  Winterbotham's  Amer- 
ica. 406,  424;  Young's  Night 
Thoutjhts,   496. 

Boston,  Mass.,  323,  383,  473,  528,  529, 
576,  586,  612,  624,  687. 

Brainerd,  David,  birthplace  of,  321. 

Broken-backed  Church,   183,  184. 

Brookfield,  N.  Y.,  661. 

Brooklyn,   N.  Y.,  3S7,  398. 

Brownsville,  Pa.,  601. 

Brunswick,   Va.,   89. 

Buncombe  Court  House,  N.  C,  594, 
604,   619. 

Burke,   Rev.   William,   618. 

Burlington,  N.  J.,  7,  is,  20,  24,  46, 
76,  97,  28s,  304,  470,  657. 

Burlington,  Vt.,  5  77- 

Burying    Ground,    Methodist,    3S7. 

Bush  Forest,  Md.,  285,  327,  635. 

Cambridge,  Md.,  158,  225,  706. 

Camden,  S.  C,  426,  452,  484,  485,  soi, 
S20,  604,  606. 

Camp  Meetings,  532,  555,  575.  504, 
601,  602,  603,  616,  627,  041,  642, 
664,  666,  676,  6g8. 

Canada,  424;  preachers  appointed  to, 
494;  visits,  639. 

Capers,  Rev.  William,  606. 

Carlisle,  Pa.,  626. 

Cartwright,    Peter,   630. 

Catawba  Indians,  preaches  to,  277, 
312;  Catawba  River,  journey  up, 
377- 

Catskill,  N.  Y.,  62s. 

Caves,  Remarkable,  198. 

Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  587. 

Celibacy,  Bishop  Asbury's  reasons  for, 
542. 

Certificate  of  Asbury  s  election  as 
bishop,    230. 

Chandler,  Dr.,  of  Worcester,  325,  582. 

Charity  School  for  Boys,  286,  299. 

Charleston,  S.  C,  310;  division  by 
Hammett,  330,  374,  375;  Con- 
ference, 392-394,  40s,  422,  452, 
465;  Bethel  parsonage,  539,  555, 
569,  581,  595.  605,  619,  632,  644, 
653.  668. 

Charlcstown,  Del.,  65. 

Charlestown,  Mass.,  324. 

Chariest  own,  Va.,  533. 

Chartered  Fund  draft  on,  472;  legacy 
to,  561. 

Cheraw,  S.  C,  S48. 

Cherokee  Indians,  lands  of,  481. 

Chester,  Mass.,  687. 


Chester,  Pa.,  16,  17,  31,  50,  84,  194, 
403. 

Chestertown,  Md.,  505,  s6i. 

Chickahominy  Church,  288. 

Children,  resolve  to  catechise  the, 
485. 

Chillicothe,  O.,  534,  592,  602,  629, 
651,   667,   67s,   697. 

Cincinnati,  O.,  593,  617,  642,  6si,  67s, 
699. 

Circuit  rider's  equipment,  a,  149. 

Cities,  preachers  unwilling  to  leave 
the,  9,   13. 

Coeyman's,  N.  Y.,  3  26,  366,  400. 

Coke,  bishop  and  doctor,  his  mission, 
227;  firstmeets  Mr.  Asbury,  226; 
itinerary,  228,  229,  230,  236, 
238,  2S4;  Dr.  Coke's  pledge  to  the 
church,  25s,  276,  282;  opposes 
the  Council,  310,  311;  change  of 
sentiments,  313;  plan  for  a  mis- 
sionary society,  322;  reaches 
Augusta,  541;  his  marriage,  564; 
Bishop  Asbury's  reply  to  letter, 
573;  sails  for  East  Indies,  670; 
his  sudden  death,  and  Bishop 
Asbury's  funeral  sermon,  687. 

Cokesbury  College,  foundation  laid, 
23S;  debt  on,  243,  24S,  252,  261; 
site  of,  262;  263,  272;  attempt  to 
burn  it,  273;  274,  278,  285,  287, 
304,  307;  308,  315,  327;  appeal 
for  orphan  fund,  338;  350,  3 So, 
386,  38S;  inventory  of,  403; 
burned,  405,  411;  severe  discipline 
at,    554- 

Cokesbury  School,  N.  C,  378,  387. 

Collection  for  preachers,  371,  509. 

Columbia,  Pa.,  590. 

Columbia,  S.  C.,  539,  631,  653,  706. 

Conference,  certificates  for  preachers 
returning  to  England,  114;  first 
Annual,  in  America  and 
rules,  49;  facsimile  of  Minutes 
1773.  160,  161;  necessity  for  An- 
nual, 336;  meager  accommoda- 
tions, 373;  New  York,  congratu- 
latory address  to  President  Wash- 
ington, 1789,  279. 

Conferences,  Mr.  Asbury  collects  Min- 
utes of  American.  162;  311;  union 
of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina, 
355",  six  original  Annual,  41S; 
gracious  .  revivals  during,  469, 
470,  493;  Western,  growth  of, 
617. 

Conferences,  General,  first  established 
1792,  311,  350;  1796,  417;  iSoo, 
469;   1804,  54s;   1808,  598;   1812, 

647- 

Connecticut,  first  visit,  318,  348;  ec- 
clesiastically fettered,  384. 

Connellsville,  Pa.,  552,  566,  600. 

Consecration  of  Bishop  Asbury,  230, 
232,  294. 

C(jnstitution  of  the  United  States 
adopted,  278. 

Cooper,  Rev.  Ezekiel,  ordained  dea- 
con, 256;  sketch  of  life,  257;  ap- 
pointed book  agent,  457;  his  re- 
port, 494. 

Cornwall,  N.  Y.,  474, 


7i6 


INDEX 


Council,  meeting  of  the,  convenes,  2.87, 
2S8;  its  powers,  291;  considera- 
tion of,  301-310;  is  suspended, 
311- 

Coventry,  Conn.,  3 S3. 

Crab  Orchard,  333,  335. 

Crawford,   Ehjah,  home  of,   432. 

Crawford,  Rev.  Joseph,  567. 

Cromwell,  Rev.  Joseph,  157,  161,  180; 
death  of,   SS2. 

Croton,  N.  Y.,  402,  686. 

Culpepper  Court   House,    209,   683. 

Cumberland,  Md.,  605. 

Cumberland,  Pa.,  361. 

Dallam,  Joseph,  kindness  of,  54,  So,  81, 

635. 
Dayton,  O.,  642. 
Deer  Creek,   Md.,   32,    106,    113,    119, 

200,  445,  621. 
De  Peyster,  Miss,  of  New  York,  legacy 

of,    527- 
Delaware,  124,  188,  656. 
Delegated   General    Conference,    plan 

for,  325. 
DeVeau,  Frederick,  12,  14,  25,  508. 
Dickins,    Rev.    John,    145,    173,    174, 

21S,  244;  ordination  of,  249;  371. 

424,  438,  451;  characteristics  and 

death  of,  450,  451. 
Dickinson  College,  founder  of,  636. 
Difficult    Church,    312. 
Disciplinary  inquiries,  42. 
Discipline,  necessity  of,  99;  Book  of 

241,  244,  251,  266,  350,  352,  388, 

413.  414.  426,  432,  .S45,  551;  title- 
page  of  the  first  edition,  251. 
Dismal  Swamp,  crosses  the,  253. 
Dorchester,  S.  C,  265. 
Dorset,    Md.,    Garrettson   imprisoned 

at,  ISO",  162,  397. 
Dorsey,  Caleb,   105. 
Dorsey,  Daniel,  587. 
DoutViet,  John,  667. 
Dover,  Del.,  144,  187,  250,  493,  584, 

68s. 
Dover,  N.  J.,  413. 
Dow,  Lorenzo,  450. 
Dromgoole,   Rev.   Edward,    145,    173, 

20s,  354.  436.  443.  (^5S<  682. 
Drunkenness,    awful    results   of,    306; 

the  curse  of  the  country,  649. 
Duck  Creek,  Del.,  287,  304,  315,  432, 

470,  493,  S07.  527.  566. 

East  Chester,  11,  258. 

Easton,  Md.,  612. 

Ebenezer  Academy,  Va.,  390,  410, 
439.  441- 

Ebenezer,  Tenn.,  497,  53S. 

Elders,  elected  (1784),  231;  election  of 
presiding,  641;  Valedictory  ad- 
dress to,  667. 

Education,  indifference  shown  to,  390. 

Educational  aspirations.  Bishop  As- 
bury's,  3  16. 

Edwards,  Dr.,  309. 

Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  240,  305,  50S, 
610. 

Elk  Ridge,  Md.,  58,  116,  683. 

Ellis,  John,  meets  Dr.  Coke,  435,  460, 
53  o- 


Ellis,  Rev.   Ira,  269,  557. 
Ellis,  Rev.  Reuben,  167,  409. 
Ellis's  Chapel,   222,  538. 
Embury,  Philip,  400,  530,  639. 
Emmettsburg,   Md.,   531. 
Ernory,  Rev.  Nathan,  528. 
Episcopal    Church,    urges   attendance 

upon,   171. 
Esopus,  N.  Y.,  530. 
Everett,  Rev.  Joseph,  190,  619. 
Extension  of  Methodist  field,  582. 

Fairfax,  Va.,  167. 

Fairfield,  Conn.,  testimony  to  the 
preachers,  399. 

Fairfield,  O.,  650. 

Falmouth,  Me.,  512. 

Family  prayer  too  much  neglected, 
562. 

Fayetteville,  N.  C,  556,  670. 

Finch,  Dr.  Ivey,   706. 

Finley,  Rev.  Jaines  B.,  643. 

First  Methodist  Conference  in  America 
(1773).  49. 

Forest  Chapel,  Md.,  149. 

Fork  Chapel,  farewell  exhortation, 684. 

Fort  Edward,  N.  Y.,  614. 

Foster,  James,  90,  99,  100. 

Foxall,  Henry,  457. 

Frankfort,  Ky.,  651. 

Frederick,  Md.,  116. 

Fredericksburg,  Va.,  583,  645. 

Fredericktown,  Md.,  515. 

Freeport,   Pa.,   693. 

Front  Royal,  N.  C,  559. 

Frontier  preacher,  relief  for,  287,  369; 
travels  of,  296,  298. 

Frothingham,   case  of,  383. 

Fund,  general,  for  support  of  preach- 
ers,  outlined,  412. 

Garrettson,  Rev.  Freeborn,  117,  131; 
imprisoned  in  Dorset  jail,  159; 
released,  162;  accompanies  Mr. 
Asbury  to  Virginia,  167;  225,401, 
474;  his  house  and  grounds  at 
Rhinebeck,  47s,  550;  "Travelers' 
Rest,"    514. 

Gatch,  Philip,  32,  33,  145,  167,  567. 

General  Assembly,  S.  C,  reprobates 
address,  484. 

General  Conferences,  questions  re- 
lating to,  573;  an  additional 
bishop  to  be  chosen,  647.  See 
also  Conferences,  350,  417,  469, 
545.  598,  647. 

Genesee,  N.  Y.,  5S8;  first  Genesee  Con- 
ference, 621;  626,  640,  648,  661. 

Geneva,  N.  Y.,  587. 

Georgetown,  D.  C,  421,  433,  655,  671. 

Georgetown,  S.  C,  234,  404,  405,  501, 
543,  654,  655. 

Georgia,  great  increase  in,  581;  pro- 
posal to  found  a  school,  277; 
society  of  Africans,  421. 

Germans,  grieves  for  uncarcd  for, 
627. 

Germantown,  Pa.,  635. 

Gibson,  Rev.  Tobias,  377,  554. 

Gift  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  330. 

Gilbert,  Miss,  of  Antigua,  79. 


INDEX 


717 


Glendennincr,  Rev.  William,  14s,  187, 

iSq,  309,  382. 
Glouccslcr,  N.  J.,  22,  435. 
Gushen,  N.  Y.,  474. 
GouKh,  Harry  Dorsey  (see  also  Perry 

Hall),  95,  100,  476. 
Granville,  Mass.,  450. 
Great  Britain,  new  treaty  with,  683. 
Green,  Rev.  Allen,  labors  of,  627. 
Green  Mountains,  Vt.,  s8s. 
Greenbrier,  Tenn,  336,  409. 
Greensburg,  Pa.,  327,  673. 
Greenville,  N.  C,  681. 
Greenville,  Va.,  389. 
Gunpowder  Neck,  104. 
Gwin,  James,  652. 

Hackettstown,  N.  J.,  413. 
Haddam,  Conn.,  321,  415. 
Hagerstown,  Md.,  259. 
Hammett,    Rev.    William,    311,    317, 

330.  331.  337.  338;  expelled,  347; 

355.  393.  447- 
Hampden  Sidney  College,  Va.,  255. 
Hanging  Rock,  S.  C,  197. 
Hanover,  Va.,  308. 
Hartford,  Conn.,  326,  368,  383. 
Hartley,  Rev.  Joseph,  90;  imprisoned, 

125;  151,  152,  155. 
Haskins,  Thomas,  180. 
Havre  de  Grace,  Md.,  684. 
Hempstead  Harbor,  L.  I.,  256. 
Heresy  in  the  church.  New  York,  414. 
Hervey's     Dialogues,     Mr.     Asbury's 

criticism,   139. 
Hibbard,  Billy,  450,  514. 
Hibbard,  Robert,  659. 
Hickson,  Rev.  Woolman,  256. 
Hill,  Rev.  Green,   236,  329,  354,  373. 

426,  480,  652. 
Hill,  William,  634. 
Hillsborough,  N.  C.,  178,  214. 
Hinde,  Dr.,  Kentucky,  536. 
Historian  of  American  Methodism,  215. 
History    of    Methodism    in    America, 

Short,     164. 
Hitt,  Daniel  and  Benjamin,  534,  584, 

586. 
Hitt,   Herman,   593,   596. 
Hollingsvvorth,  Francis,  689. 
Holston,  Tenn.,  267,  336. 
Hot  Springs,  Va.,  104,  332. 
Hutchinson,   Mrs.  Ann,   507. 
Hutchison,  Sarah,  death  of,  508. 
Hutchison,  Sylvester,  497,  498. 
Hymn  book,  American  edition  of ,  592, 

594- 

Immersion,    baptism  by,  234. 
Indians,  trouhile   with  the,    296,   297— 

.  299,  3°3.  335.  593.  650.  680. 
Indians,  Cherokee,  outbreak  of,  103. 
Indians,  North  Carolina,  277. 
Indians,  Seneca,  283. 
Itinerant,   the,   410;    perils  and  diffi- 
culties of,  138,  363. 

James  City,  Va.,   214. 

Jarratt,  Rev.  Devereaux,  91,  92;  nar- 
rative on  Virginia,  108;  170,  172; 
successful  ministry,  203;  209; 
death  of,  491. 


Jennings,  Dr.  Samuel  K.,  47.S. 
Jessop,  R.OV.  William,  411,  458. 
John  Street  Church,     See  New  York. 

Johnstown,  Del.,  685. 
ustification  according  to  works,  107. 

Kent,  Del.,  Mr.  Asbury  appointed  to, 

35;    135.  137- 
Killian's  House,  488,  619. 
Kingsbridge,  N.  Y.,  73.  386. 
King's  Chapel,  S.  C,  482. 
Kingston,   Canada,    639,   640. 
Kingswood  School  in  America,    174, 

316. 

Lacy,  W.  B.,  case  of,  664. 

Laidlie,  Rev.  Dr.  Archibald,  474. 

Lake  Champlain,  613. 

Lancaster,  Pa.,  626. 

Lancaster,  Va.,  232,  274. 

Lebanon,  N.  Y.,  springs  of,  346. 

Lebanon,  O.,  642,  675. 

Lee,   Rev.  Jesse,    215,  306,  325,  407, 

436,    467.    548;    his  .  History    of 

Methodism,  624. 
Lee,  John,  502. 
Lee,  Richard  Henr>',  389. 
Lee,  Rev.  Wilson,  385,  476,  553. 
Leesburg,  V^a.,  303,  646. 
Legacy  for  the  bishops,  527. 
Lehigh,  Pa.,  648. 
Lehigh  University,  Pa.,  590. 
Lenox,  Mass.,  637. 
Lewisburg,  N.  C,  354.  373- 
Lewiston,  Pa.,  305. 
Lexington,  Ky.,  29S. 
Lexington,   Va.,   the  Natural  Bridge, 

516. 
Liberty,  Ga.,  582,  650. 
Limestone,  O.-,  667. 
Lippett,  General,  383,  549,  661. 
Little  Miami,  O.,  603. 
Livingston,   Mrs.,  of  Rhinebeck,  457, 

474- 
Local  preachers,  names  of  twelve,  34, 

36;   licenses  issued  to,    58;   more 

favorable  circumstances  of,  443 ; 

make  good  guides,   552. 
Lockwood's  Folly,  N.  C.,  489. 
Louisville,  Ky.,  643. 
Lumberton,  N.  C,  521,  607,  632. 
Lumberton,  N.  J.,  657. 
Lupton,  William,  30,  69,  74. 
Lyell,  Rev.  Thomas,  546,  547,  551. 
Lynchburg,  Va.,  682. 
Lynn,  Mass,  324,  345,  367,  473,  563, 

576,   613. 
Lyons,  N.  Y.,  587,  626,  648. 

McClasky,  Rev.  John,  506,  680. 
McGaw,  Rev.  Mr.,  143,  144. 
McKendree,  Rev.  William,  353,  434, 

497.   518;    ordained  bishop,   598; 

599,  603,  604,  607,  619,  626,  627, 

630,  640,  665,  675,  699,  702. 
Maine,    449. 

Mamaroneck,  N.  Y.,  12,  14. 
Marblehead,  Mass.,  563,  576. 
Married  preachers,  consideration  for, 

173- 
Marsden,  Rev.  Joshua,  his  tribute  to 

Bishop  Asbury,  658. 


7i8 


INDEX 


fc 


Martinsburg,  Va.,  196. 

Maryland,  early  appointments,  36, 
38;  52,  476. 

Massachusetts,  ecclesiastically  fet- 
tered, 384. 

Mechanicsburg,  O.,  698. 

Membership,  estimate  of,  531,  591, 
622. 

Meredith's,  William,  charge  to  Bishop 
Asbury,  572. 

Methodism,  History  of,  164;  Bishop 
Asbury's  Criticism  of  Lee's  His- 
tor\',  624;  spread  of,  670. 

Methodist,  plan,   doctrine,  and  disci- 
pline, 9,  19,  28;  landmarks,  401; 
methods     of     the,    Church,    442; 
church  polity,  540. 

Middleburg,  N.  Y.,  225,  625. 

Middlebury,  Vt.,  638. 

Middletown,  Conn.,  320,  368,  382, 
399,  415,  528,  549. 

Ministry  of  love,  sermon  on,  543. 

Minutes  of  the  first  Methodist  Confer- 
ence in  America,  160,  161. 

Missionary  collection,  245. 

Missions,  Dr.  Coke's  plan  for,  322;  re- 
sults of,  694. 

Mississippi,  loyalty  of  preachers  in, 
629;  outlook  in,  581,  629,  643. 

Mite  subscription,  Asbury's,  678,  709. 

Mohawk  valley,  N.  Y.,  587,  614. 

Monongahela,  Fort,   246,  532,  591. 

Montpelier,  Vt.,  613. 

Moore,  Rev.  James,  527. 

Moravian  towns,  214,  589,  590. 

Morgantown,  Va.,  303. 

Morrell,  Rev.  Thoinas,  30^,  330,  338, 
508,  610,  686. 

Mount  Gerizim,  Ky.,  536,  550,  568, 
594- 

Murfreesboro,  N.  C,  583. 

Narragansett  Bay,  R.  I.,  612. 

Nashville,  Tenn.,  479,   651. 

Natchez,  Miss.,  519. 

Natural  Bridge,  Va.,  516. 

Nazareth,  Pa.,  589,  590. 

Needham,  Mass.,  513. 

Newbern,  N.  C,  253,  620,  681. 

Newburyport,  Mass.,  448. 

New  Canaan,  Conn.,  687. 

New  Castle,  Del.,  314. 

New  Durham,  N.  Y.,  625. 

New  England,  286,  318,  326,  399,  457; 

simplicity  and  frugality  of,  472; 

563,  576,  660,  688. 
New  Gloucester,  Me.,  613. 
New  Hampshire,  386. 
New  Haven,  319,  320,  398,  399,  414. 

472,    511. 
New  Light  Baptists,  321. 
New  London,  Conn.,  612,  659. 
Newman,  Rev.  Jonathan,  346. 
Newmarket,  Md.,  634. 
Newport,  R.  L,  321,  322,  612. 
New  Rochelle,   N.  Y.,    12,  13,  14,    25, 

67.  71.  76,  347- 
Newton's  Academy,  N.  C,  630. 
Newtown,  Pa.,  636,  648. 
Newtown,  Va.,  303,  380,  622. 
New  York,  Methodism  in,  8,  15,  26,  27, 

29.  43.   47,  65,   76,  256,   278-282, 


New  York,  Methodism  in — Continued: 
3°5.  347.  348,  368,  382,  386,  397, 
413,  416,  457,  469-472,  508-510, 
527,  561,  575.  611,  623,  636,  647, 
686,  688. 

Nollichucky  Ford,  Tenn.,  360,  395, 
408. 

Norfolk,  Va.,  84,  92,  468,  524,  544, 
572,   670. 

Northeast,  Md.,  176,  451. 

Norwalk,   Conn.,   611. 

Norwich,  Conn.,  511. 

Oath  of  allegiance,  123,  124. 

Ohiq     circuits     formed,     536;     rapid 

settlement    of,    568;    salaries    of 

ministers,  676. 
O'Kelly,  Rev.  James,   175,    289,  311, 

350,  352,  353.  371.  419.  447,  460, 

51S.   557. 
O'Neal,  Rev.  Mr.,  148. 
Onondaga,  N.  Y.,  587. 
Ordinances,     administration    of    the, 

166.  168,  172. 
Ordination    of    Bishop    Asbury,    230. 

232. 
Orphan  House,  Charleston,  S.  C,  467. 
Orphan     House     destroyed.      White- 
field's,  48. 
Otterbein,   Rev.    Philip,   83,   99,    506, 

.  550,  655,  672. 
Owing,  Joshua,  34. 

Paris,  Ky.,  667. 

Peace,  with  England,  declared,  214. 

Pedicord,  Rev.  Caleb,  142,  164,  189. 

Peekskill,  N.  Y.,  688. 

Perigau,  N.,  108,  109,  113. 

Perry   Hall,    Md.,   95,   388,   417,   429, 

433.    476,    495,    SOS.    slave    jail; 

526,  560,  584,  597,  609,  656,   684. 
Peterkin,  James,   158,  159. 
Petersburg,  Ga.,  569. 
Petersburg,  Va.,  92,  93,  203,  301,  371, 

389,  390,  621. 
Pettigrew,  Rev.  Charles,  220. 
Philadelphia,  5,  7,  40,  44,  45,  49,  65, 

95,  107,  201,  304,  327,  338,  349, 

369.    381,    397,    412,    416,    446, 

484.  SS7.  574.  584.  609,  635,  673, 

686. 
Philipse  Manor,  N.  Y.,  14,  575. 
Pickering,  Rev.  George,  385,  513,  529, 

623,  688. 
Pilmoor,  Rev.  Joseph,  6,  60,  382,  585, 

673- 
Pipe  Creek,  Md.,  492,  634. 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  283,  628,  674. 
Pittsfield,  Mass.,  346,  549,  623. 
Pittstown,  N.  Y.,  530. 
Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  638. 
Portland,   Me.,   512. 
Portraits,  Bishop  Asbury's,  381,  428. 
Port  Royal,  Va.,  328. 
Portsmouth,  Va.,  85,  524,  556. 
Potato  Neck,  Va.,  622. 
Potts,  Ralph,  489. 
Poythress,  Francis,  90,  334,  629. 
Preachers,  collection  for,  509,  648. 
Presbury,  James,  34,  36. 
Presbyterians,  360;  unity  of,  630. 
Presiding  elders,  641. 


INDEX 


719 


Preston,  Conn.,  472- 
Princeton,  N.  J.,  31. 
Printing  plan  suspended,  210. 
Problem  of  old  age,  3.S7. 
Providence,  R.  I.,  321,  511,  661. 

Quakers,  efforts  on  Vjehalf  of  slaves, 

130. 
Quarterly  tickets,  208,  209. 

Radnor,  Pa.,  546. 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  633. 

Randall,  Josias,  581. 

Rankin,  Rev.  Thomas,  66,   67,  76-79. 

118. 
Reading,    Conn.,   318. 
Rehoboth,  Ga.,  455- 
Rehoboth  Church, Union,  Va.,  364. 
Renibert,  James,  354,  37s.  376,   52a, 

571,  580,  583. 
Rembert's  Chapel,  580  595.  669. 
Republican  Methodist  Church,  289. 
Restrictions  against  the  blacks,   556. 
Revivals   and  conversions,    264,    291, 

301,  305,  331.  348.  354.  476,  493. 

494. 
Rhinebeck,  N.  Y.,  474,  475,  Si4.  55°. 

562. 
Rice,  Rev.  David,  334. 
Richmond,   Va.,   460,    502,    634,    645, 

707. 
Roanoke,  Va.,  289,  372,  455. 
Roberts,  Rev.  George,  385,  416. 
Roberts,  Rev.  Robert  R.,  631. 
Rock  Castle,  Ky.,   297,  333.  335- 
Rogers,  Mr.,  of  Greenwood,  Md.,  456. 
Rollins,  Isaac,  36,  179,  216. 
Royalton,  N.  C,   586. 
Rush,  Benjamin,  M.D.,  636. 
Russell,  General  William,  268,  363. 
Rye,  N.  Y.,  12,  14. 

Saco,  Me.,  613. 

Saddlebags,  Mr.  Garrettson's,  149. 

Salaries  of  preachers,  512,  676. 

Salem,  Mass.,  324,  325. 

Salem,  N.  C,  214. 

Salem,  S.  C,  507,  568. 

Salem,  Va.,  404,   545. 

Sands,  Rev.  P.,  379. 

Saratoga  Lake,  N.  Y.,  614. 

Sause,  Richard,  10,  24,  75. 

Savannah,  Ga.,  356,  606,  668,  669. 

Schenectadv,  N.  Y.,  586. 

Schoharie,  N.  Y.,  586. 

School,  Wesley  and  Whitefield,    292; 

Constitution  of  the  District,  354. 
Schools,  Bishop  Asbury  in  relation  to, 

406. 
Schuylkill,  Pa.,  665. 
Seneca  Lake,  N.  Y.,  587. 
Sermons,  notes  on.  Bishop  Asbury's: 

Josh.  7.  I,  134;  I  Sam.  10.  6,  82; 

1  Sam.  12.  23,  24,  42s;  2  Sam.  23. 

5,376;  2  Sam.  24.  25,445;  2  Chron. 

15-    2,    367;    Psa.    147.    29,  403; 

Eccl.  5.   I,  424;  Isa.  8.   20,   132; 

Isa.  9.  6,  554;  Isa.  26.  8,  370;  Isa. 

33,  16,  46;  Isa.  61.  2,  466;  Isa.  62. 

6.  45;  Ezek.  36.  25-27,  42s;  Joel 

2.   16-18,    129;  Hos.  10.  12,   568; 

Joel  2.  28,  29,  562  ;  Amos  5.  4,  385; 


Sermons — Continued : 

Amos  8.  II,  420;  Hab.  3.  2,  3(13; 
Zeph.  3.  12,  701;  Matt.  5.  8,  496; 
Matt.  5.  16,  700;  Matt.  17.  5,483; 
Matt.  13.  38,  45;  Matt.  22.  5,477; 
Matt.  24.45,  595;  Matt.  25.34-37, 
Si6;  Matt.  25.  21,  491;  Matt.  28. 
18-20,  492;  Matt.  28.  19,  20,  519; 
Mark  8.  34,  473;  Luke  2.  14,  422; 
Luke  3.  6,  561;  Luke  3.  6,  556; 
Luke  10.  21,  541;  Luke  22.  61, 
696;  John  14.  18,  539;  Acts  2.  22, 
38s;  Acts  4.  12,  615;  Acts  5.  31, 
32,3 19;  Acts  13.  26,  701 ;  Acts  14. 
22,  414;  Acts  17.  30,  31,  572; 
Acts  20.  28,  664;  Acts  26.  17,  18, 
705;  Rom.  I.  16,  490;  Rom.  i. 
16,  80;  Rom.  9.  21,  708;  Rom.  12. 
19-21,  471;   Rom.    12.    1,2,    559; 

1  Cor.  7.  28-30,  694;  2  Cor.  2.  14, 
15,  509;  2  Cor.  4.  I,  2,  449;  2  Cor. 
3.  II,  12,  sii;  2  Cor.  4.  I,  2,  449; 

2  Cor.  4.  5,  489;  2  Cor.  5.  11,  426, 
69s;  2  Cor.  5.  ii-is.  S43;  2  Cor. 
6.  I,  574;  2  Cor.  6.  2,  431;  2  Cor. 
6.  20,  616;  2  Cor.  7.  28-30,  694; 
2  Cor.  13.  5,  372;  Gal.  2.  20,  446; 
Gal.  4.  16,  392;  Gal.  4.  19,  20,  693; 
Gal.  4.  20,  563;  Gal.  6.  14,  322; 
Gal.  5-  24-26,  453;  Eph.  3.  7,  8, 
372;  Eph.  6.  18-20,  533;  Phil.  2. 

12,  13,  384,  520;  Phil.  2.  22, 
502;  Phil.  3.  8,  610;  Col.  I.  26-28, 
691;  Col.  4.  5,  555 ;  I  Thess.  2.  6-9, 
564;  I  Thess.  4-  13.  14,  433;  I  Tim. 

3.  16,  571;  1  Tim.  4.  8,  63;  I  Tim. 

4.  16,  437;  2  Tim.  2.  12-17,  376; 
2  Tim.  4.  I,  2,  519;  2  Tim.  4.  2, 
588;  2  Tim.  4.  5-8,  564;  2  Tim. 
4.  7-8,  584;  Heb.  3.  7,  8,  698;  Heb. 

3.  12-14,  420;  Heb.  3.  14,  421; 
Heb.  6.  4-8,  362;  Heb.  11.  27, 
152;  Heb.   12.   15-17,  451;  Heb. 

13.  17,  452;  James  i.  22,  538; 
I  Pet.  3.  15,  301;  2  Pet.  3.  20,  21, 
382;  I  John  3.  1-3,544,580;  I  John 

4.  I,  44;  I  John  8.  32,  677;  Rev. 
7-  13-17.  570;  Rev.  21.  7,  356; 
Rev.  22.  14,  15,486;  Judgment,  29. 

Shadford,   Rev.  George,   89,  91,    109, 

122,  123. 
Sharon,  Conn.,  474,  514. 
Shaw,  Richard,  143,  149. 
Shippensburg,  Pa.,   615,   689. 
Skaneateles  Lake,  N.  Y.,  587. 
Slavery,   allusions  to,    130,    142,    167, 

172,  175,  237,  241,  334,  389,  40s, 

421,  439,  442,  546,  603,  608. 
Smyrna,  Del.,  621. 
Snethen,  Rev.  Nicholas,  467,  487,  497, 

507,  518,  523,  644. 
Snow-Hill,   Md.,   226,  411. 
Somerset,  Pa.,  135,  692. 
Sowdersburg,  Pa.,  546. 
Soule,  Rev.  Joshua,  528. 
South  Carolina,  48!6,  5(1,9. 
Springhield,    Ma<is..  38^-. 
Springfield,  O  ,,  616 
Spottsylvania,   Va.,   death  of  Bishop 

Asbury  at,  709. 
Staten,  Islaind     ^I.  Y,   J,  8.  '12,,  32-', 

5'-'7.  51-*,  610. 


/■ 


INDEX 


Stationing  power  of  the  bishops  de- 
bated, 350. 

Steubenville,  O.,  642,  694. 

Stratford,  Conn.,  319. 

Strawbridge,  Robert,  33,  42,  49,  50, 
68,  81,  87,  126,  492. 

Suffolk,  Va.,  490,  555. 

Sunday  schools  to  be  established,  291. 

Susquehanna,  31;  heights  of  the,  5S8, 
589. 

Sussex,  134,  163. 

Swannanoa,  Ga.,  377,  379, 

Tarboro,  N.  C,  64s,  681. 
Taylor,  Colonel  Thoinas,  632. 
Tennessee,  great  increases  in,  652. 
Thompson,  Conn.,  415,  473,  514. 
Thompson's  Meetinghouse,  498. 
Tiffin,   Governor    Edward,    535,    567, 

616,  629. 
Tioga,   Pa.,    588. 
Tolland,  Conn.,  367. 
Traveling  companion  for  each  bishop, 

499. 
Traveling  ministers,  fund  for,  412. 
Trenton,  N.  J.,  22,  23,  212. 

Union  School,  foundation  of,  337. 
Uniontown,  Pa.,  303,  337,   532,   600, 
650. 

Unity  of  believers  in  their  work,  147. 
Utica,  N.  Y.,  614. 

Van  Cortlandt,  Governor,  347,  402, 
457.  515;  death  of,  686. 

Vanderbilt  University,  579. 

Van  Pelt's  Chapel,  Tenn.,  361. 

Van  Pelt,  P.,  of  Staten  Island,  7,  8,  13. 

Vasey,  Rev.  Thomas,  181,  221,  226, 
259,   260. 

Vermont,  384,  400,  549. 

Veterans  of  Methodism,  336. 

Virginia,  Methodism  in,  64,  82,  84, 
145,  147,  167,  192,  203,  327, 
329;  Southern  caste  affects  the 
ministry,  607. 

Waltham,  Mass.,  399,  528,  529,  612. 

Warfield,  Dr.,  33. 

War  rumors,  185. 

Ware,  Thomas,   215,   223,  458. 

Washington,  George,  237,  279;  con- 
gratulations sent  and  his  reply, 
280,   281;  death  of,  465. 

Washington,  Pa.,  628,  693. 

Watson's  Church,  Va.,  312. 

Watters,  Nicholas,  33,  554. 

Waynesburg,   Ky.,   643. 

Webb,  Captain,  46,  47,  66,  76. 


Wells,  General,  557. 

Wells,  Joshua,  42S,  432. 

Wesley  Chapel,  26. 

Wesley,  Rev.  John,  appoints  Mr. 
Asbury  assistant  and  gives  in- 
structions, 29,  30;  political  sen- 
timents of,  96;  last  letter  from, 
277;  criticism  of  his  Journal,  562; 
death  of,  313;  portrait,  314. 

Westchester,  N.  Y.,  10-13. 

West  Farms,  N.  Y.,  10,  11. 

West  Point,  Ga.,  517. 

West  Union,  O.,   667. 

Western  Conferences,  rapid  growth, 
667. 

Whatcoat,  Rev.  Richard,  181,  271, 
417,  420,  444,  451 ;  elected  bishop, 
469:471,  497-499,  552,  573.  578, 
584. 

Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  533. 

White,  Charles,  298,  299. 

White,  E.,  124,  136,  145,  152,  155. 

White,  Judge  Thomas,  of  Delaware, 
124,  144,  150,  396,  397. 

White,  Rev.  Thomas,  10,  124,  130- 
135,  144.  426,  625. 

White,  William,  462. 

Whitefield  Methodists,  685. 

Wliitefield's  Orphan  House,  48,  356; 
his  to:nb,  449. 

White  Plains,  N.  Y.,  368,  402,  432. 

Widows'  fund,  for  poor  preachers,  648. 

Wilbraham,  Mass.,  384,  432,  564,  687. 

Will  of  Francis  Asbury,  660,  662,  663. 

Williams,  Rev.  Robert,  16,  17,  49,  82, 
83,  88,  419. 

Williams,  Sarah,  legacy  of,  561. 

Williamsburg,  Va.,   186. 

Williamsport,   Pa.,   666. 

Williamstown,  Mass.,  563. 

Wilmington,  Del.,  16,  41,  80,  285,  657, 

673- 
Wilmington,  N.  C,  522,  571,  632. 
Winchester,  N.  H.,  623,  659. 
Winchester,  Va.,  497,  578. 
Withey,  Mrs.  Mary,  16,  403,  623. 
Worcester,  Mass.,  325. 
Worthington,  Governor,  602,  629,  675. 
Wright,  Justice,  of  Staten  Island,  8, 

Wright,  Richard,   2,  24,  65. 
Wyoming,  Pa.,  365,  589. 

Yale  College,  preaches  at,  320. 
York,  Pa.,  237,  689. 

Zane,  Colonel  Ebenezer,  601,  616. 
Zanesville,   O.,    534,    616,    650,    675, 
695. 


DUE  DATE                            1 

KiC 

EC  14 

f 

, 

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201-6503 

Printed 
in  USA 

8 

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SEP  25  41   j^^   ^    d,,,.^^/^^ 


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